Chapter I: Front Matter

LIFE OF GEORGE WASHINGTON.

PEOPLE’S EDITION.

VOL. IV.

LIFE OF WASHINGTON.

WASHINGTON

_From the Bust by G. Ceracchi taken from life (now in possession of
Gouverneur Kimble Esq. Cold Spring.)_
]

LIFE
OF
GEORGE WASHINGTON.

BY

WASHINGTON IRVING.

IN FIVE VOLS.

VOL. IV.

NEW YORK

G. P. PUTNAM’S SONS

27 AND 29 WEST 23D STREET

1884

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1857, by
G. P. PUTNAM AND CO.,
in the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the United States for
the Southern District of New York.

CONTENTS OF VOLUME IV.

CHAPTER I.
PAGE
Sufferings of the Army at Morristown.—Rigorous Winter.—Derangement
of the Currency.—Confusion in the Commissariat.—Impressment of
Supplies.—Patriotic Conduct of the People of New Jersey.—The Bay
of New York Frozen over.—Lord Stirling’s Expedition against
Staten Island.—Knyphausen’s Incursion into the
Jerseys.—Caldwell’s Church at Elizabethtown burnt.—Character of
its Pastor.—Foray into Westchester County.—Burning of Young’s
House in the Valley of the Neperan 1

CHAPTER II.

Arnold in Command of Philadelphia.—Unpopular Measures.—Arnold’s
Style of Living.—His Schemes and Speculations.—His Collisions
with the Executive Council.—His Land Project.—Charges sent
against him to Congress.—His Address to the Public.—Charges
referred to a Court-martial.—His Marriage.—Verdict of the
Court-martial.—Arnold reprimanded.—Obtains Leave of Absence from
the Army 11

CHAPTER III.

South Carolina threatened.—Its Condition and Population.—Stormy
Voyage of Sir Henry Clinton.—Loss of Horses.—Character of
Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton.—Fleet arrives at Tybee.—Sir Henry
Clinton advances upon Charleston.—Lincoln prepares for
Defense.—Commodore Whipple.—Governor Rutledge.—Forebodings of
Washington.—Embarkation of British Troops at New
York.—Washington sends De Kalb with Reinforcements.—His Hopeful
Letter to Steuben 25

CHAPTER IV.

Evils of the Continental Currency.—Military Reforms proposed by
Washington.—Congress Jealous of Military Power.—Committee of
Three sent to confer with Washington.—Losses by Depreciation of
the Currency to be made good to the Troops.—Arrival of
Lafayette.—Scheme for a Combined Attack upon New York.—Arnold
has Debts and Difficulties.—His Proposals to the French
Minister.—Anxious to return to the Army.—Mutiny of the
Connecticut Troops.—Washington writes to Reed for Aid from
Pennsylvania.—Good Effects of his Letter 35

CHAPTER V.

Siege of Charleston continued.—British Ships enter the
Harbor.—British Troops march from Savannah.—Tarleton and his
Dragoons.—His Brush with Colonel Washington.—Charleston
reinforced by Woodford.—Tarleton’s Exploits at Monk’s Corner.—At
Laneau’s Ferry.—Sir Henry Clinton reinforced.—Charleston
capitulates.—Affair of Tarleton and Buford on the Waxhaw.—Sir
Henry Clinton embarks for New York 49

CHAPTER VI.

Knyphausen marauds the Jerseys.—Sacking of Connecticut
Farms.—Murder of Mrs. Caldwell.—Arrival and Movements of Sir
Henry Clinton.—Springfield burnt.—The Jerseys evacuated 64

CHAPTER VII.

Washington applies to the State Legislatures for
Aid.—Subscriptions of the Ladies of Philadelphia.—Gates
appointed to command the Southern Department.—French Fleet
arrives at Newport.—Preparation for a Combined Movement against
New York.—Arnold obtains Command at West Point.—Greene resigns
the Office of Quartermaster-general 77

CHAPTER VIII.

North Carolina.—Difficulties of its Invasion.—Character of the
People and Country.—Sumter, his Character and Story.—Rocky
Mount.—Hanging Rock.—Slow Advance of De Kalb.—Gates takes
Command.—Desolate March.—Battle of Camden.—Flight of
Gates.—Sumter surprised by Tarleton at the Waxhaws.—Washington’s
Opinion of Militia.—His Letter to Gates 90

CHAPTER IX.

Treason of Arnold.—His Correspondence with the Enemy.—His
Negotiations with André.—Parting Scene with Washington.—Midnight
Conference on the Banks of the Hudson.—Return of André by
Land.—Circumstances of his Capture 110

CHAPTER X.

Interview of Washington with the French Officers at Hartford.—Plan
of Attack disconcerted.—Washington’s Return.—Scenes at Arnold’s
Head-quarters in the Highlands.—Tidings of André’s
Capture.—Flight of Arnold.—Letters from the
Traitor.—Washington’s Precautions.—Situation of Mrs. Arnold 135

CHAPTER XI.

André’s Conduct as a Prisoner.—His Conversations with Colonel
Tallmadge.—Story of Nathan Hale.—André’s Prison at
Tappan.—Correspondence on his Behalf.—His
Trial.—Execution.—Reward of the Captors.—Reward of Arnold.—His
Proclamation.—After Fortunes of Mrs. Arnold 146

CHAPTER XII.

Greene takes Command at West Point.—Insidious Attempts to shake
the Confidence of Washington in his Officers.—Plan to entrap
Arnold.—Character of Sergeant Champe.—Court of Inquiry into the
Conduct of Gates.—Greene appointed to the Southern
Department.—Washington’s Instructions to him.—Incursions from
Canada.—Mohawk Valley ravaged.—State of the Army.—Reforms
adopted. Enlistment for the War.—Half Pay 175

CHAPTER XIII.

The Marquis Lafayette and his Light infantry.—Proposes a Brilliant
Stroke.—Preparations for an Attack on the British Posts on New
York Island.—Visit of the Marquis of Chastellux to the American
Camp.—Washington at Head-quarters.—Attack on the British Posts
given up.—Stark forages Westchester County.—Exploit of Tallmadge
on Long Island 185

CHAPTER XIV.

Rigorous Measures of Cornwallis in South Carolina.—Ferguson sent
to Scour the Mountain Country between the Catawba and the
Yadkin.—Cornwallis in a Hornet’s Nest.—Movements of
Ferguson.—Mountain Men and Fierce Men from Kentucky.—Battle of
King’s Mountain.—Retrograde March of Cornwallis 194

CHAPTER XV.

Marion.—His Character.—Bye Names.—Haunts.—Tarleton in quest of
Him.—Sumter on the West Side of the Santee.—His Affair with
Tarleton at Black Stock Hill.—Gates at Hillsborough.—His
Domestic Misfortunes.—Arrival of Greene.—His Considerate
Conduct.—Gates retires to his Estate.—Condition of the
Army.—Stratagem of Colonel Washington at Clermont.—Morgan
detached to the District of Ninety Six.—Greene posts himself on
the Pedee 207

CHAPTER XVI.

Hostile Embarkations to the South.—Arnold in Command.—Necessitous
State of the Country.—Washington urges a Foreign Loan.—Mission
of Colonel Laurens to France to seek Aid in Men and
Money.—Grievances of the Pennsylvania Line.—Mutiny.—Negotiations
with the Mutineers.—Articles of Accommodation.—Policy doubted by
Washington.—Rigorous Course adopted by him with other
Malcontents.—Successful.—Ratification of the Articles of
Confederation of the States 220

CHAPTER XVII.

Expedition of Arnold into Virginia.—Buccaneering Ravages.—Checked
by Steuben.—Arnold at Portsmouth.—Congress resolves to form
Heads of Departments.—Hamilton suggested by Sullivan for
Department of Finance.—High Opinion of him expressed by
Washington.—Misunderstanding between Hamilton and the Commander
in chief 237

CHAPTER XVIII.

Cornwallis prepares to invade North Carolina.—Tarleton sent
against Morgan.—Battle at Cowpens.—Morgan pushes for the Catawba
with Spoils and Prisoners.—Cornwallis endeavors to intercept
him.—The Rising of the River.—Cornwallis at Ramsour’s Mills 248

CHAPTER XIX.

Greene joins Morgan on the Catawba.—Adopts the Fabian
Policy.—Movement of Cornwallis to cross the Catawba.—Affair at
McGowan’s Ford.—Militia surprised by Tarleton at Tarrant’s
Tavern.—Cornwallis checked by the Rising of the Yadkin.—Contest
of Skill and Speed of the Two Armies in a March to the Banks of
the Dan 261

CHAPTER XX.

Cornwallis takes post at Hillsborough.—His Proclamation.—Greene
recrosses the Dan.—Country scoured by Lee and Pickens.—Affair
with Colonel Pyle.—Maneuvers of Cornwallis to bring Greene to
Action.—Battle of Guilford Court-house.—Greene retreats to
Troublesome Creek.—Cornwallis marches toward Cape Fear.—Greene
pursues him.—Is brought to a Stand at Deep River.—Determines to
Face About and carry the War into South Carolina.—Cornwallis
marches for Virginia 273

CHAPTER XXI.

Arnold at Portsmouth in Virginia.—Expedition sent against
him.—Instructions to Lafayette.—Washington at
Newport.—Consultations with De Rochambeau.—Sailing of the French
Fleet.—Pursued by the English.—Expedition of Lafayette to
Virginia.—Engagement between the English and French
Fleets.—Failure of the Expedition against Arnold.—Letter of
Washington to Colonel Laurens.—Measure to reinforce
Greene.—General Phillips in Command at Portsmouth.—Marauds the
Country.—Checked by Lafayette.—Mount Vernon menaced.—Death of
Phillips 297

CHAPTER XXII.

Inefficient State of the Army.—Maraud of Delancey.—Death of
Colonel Greene.—Arrival of the Count de Barras.—French Naval
Force expected.—Interview of Washington and De Rochambeau at
Weathersfield.—Plan of Combined Operations.—Financial
Arrangement of Robert Morris.—Scheme to attack the Works on New
York Island and capture Delancey’s Corps.—Encampments of
American and French Armies in Westchester County.—Reconnoitering
Expeditions 314

CHAPTER XXIII.

Movements and Counter-movements of Cornwallis and Lafayette in
Virginia.—Tarleton and his Troopers scour the Country.—A Dash at
the State Legislature.—Attempt to Surprise the Governor at
Monticello.—Retreat of Jefferson to Carter’s Mountain.—Steuben
outwitted by Simcoe.—Lafayette joined by Wayne and Steuben.—Acts
on the Aggressive.—Desperate Melée of Macpherson and
Simcoe.—Cornwallis pursued to Jamestown Island.—Mad Anthony in a
Morass.—His Impetuous Valor.—Alertness of
Lafayette.—Washington’s Opinion of the Virginia Campaign 330

CHAPTER XXIV.

Greene’s Retrograde Operation in South Carolina.—Appears before
Camden.—Affair at Hobkirk’s Hill.—Rawdon abandons Camden.—Rapid
Successes of the Americans.—Greene’s Attack on the Fortress of
Ninety Six.—Operations against Lord Rawdon.—Greene on the High
Hills of Santee.—Sumter scours the Lower Country.—Dash of
Colonel Wade Hampton at the Gates of Charleston.—Exploits of Lee
and Hampton.—Of Captain Armstrong at Quimby Bridge.—Action in
the Neighborhood.—End of the Campaign 341

CHAPTER XXV.

Washington disappointed as to Reinforcements.—French Armament
destined for the Chesapeake.—Attempts on New York
postponed.—March of the Armies to the Chesapeake.—Stratagems to
deceive the Enemy.—Arnold ravages New London.—Washington at
Philadelphia.—March of the Two Armies through the
City.—Cornwallis at Yorktown.—Preparations to proceed against
Him.—Visit to Mount Vernon 354

CHAPTER XXVI.

Cornwallis aroused to his Danger.—His Retreat to the Carolinas cut
off.—Strengthens his Works.—Action between the French and
British Fleets.—Washington and De Rochambeau visit the French
Fleet.—Operations before Yorktown 372

CHAPTER XXVII.

Greene on the High Hills of Santee.—The Enemy harassed.—Greene
marches against Stuart.—Battle near Eutaw Springs 386

CHAPTER XXVIII.

Siege and Surrender of Yorktown 396

CHAPTER XXIX.

Dissolution of the Combined Armies.—Washington at Eltham.—Death of
John Parke Custis.—Washington at Mount Vernon.—Correspondence
about the Next Campaign.—Lafayette sails for France.—Washington
stimulates Congress to Military Preparations.—Project to
surprise and carry off Prince William Henry from New York.—The
Case of Captain Asgill 413

CHAPTER XXX.

Washington continues his Precautions.—Sir Gay Carleton brings
Pacific News.—Discontents of the Army.—Extraordinary Letter from
Colonel Nicola.—Indignant Reply of Washington.—Joint Letter of
Sir Guy Carleton and Admiral Digby.—Junction of the Allied
Armies on the Hudson.—Contemplated Reduction of the Army 426

CHAPTER XXXI.

Discontents of the Army at Newburg.—Memorial of the Officers to
Congress.—Anonymous Papers circulated in the Camp.—Meeting of
Officers called.—Address of Washington.—Resolutions in
Consequence.—Letters of Washington to the President.—His Opinion
of the Anonymous Addresses and their Author 434

CHAPTER XXXII.

News of Peace.—Letter of Washington in Behalf of the
Army.—Cessation of Hostilities proclaimed.—Order of the
Cincinnati formed.—Letter of Washington to the State
Governors.—Mutiny in the Pennsylvania Line.—Letter of Washington
on the Subject.—Tour to the Northern Posts 449

CHAPTER XXXIII.

The Army to be discharged.—Parting Address of
Washington.—Evacuation of New York.—Parting Scene of Washington
with his Officers at New York.—Washington resigns his Commission
to Congress.—Retires to Mount Vernon 465

CHAPTER XXXIV.

Washington at Mount Vernon.—A Soldier’s Repose.—Plans of Domestic
Life.—Kind Offer of the Council of Pennsylvania.—Historical
Applications.—News of Jacob Van Braam.—Opening of
Spring.—Agricultural Life resumed.—Recollections of the
Fairfaxes.—Meeting of the Order of Cincinnati.—Tour of
Washington and Dr. Craik to the West.—Ideas of Internal
Improvement.—Parting with Lafayette 477

CHAPTER XXXV.

Scheme of Inland Navigation.—Shares of Stock offered to
Washington.—Declined.—Rural Improvements.—The Tax of
Letter-writing.—The Tax of Sitting for Likenesses.—Ornamental
Gardening.—Management of the Estate.—Domestic Life.—Visit of Mr.
Watson.—Reverential Awe inspired by Washington.—Irksome to
him.—Instances of his Festive Gayety.—Of his Laughing.—Passion
for Hunting revived.—Death of General Greene.—His
Character.—Washington’s Regrets and Encomiums.—Letters to the
French Noblemen 493

CHAPTER XXXVI.

Washington doubts the Solidity of the
Confederation.—Correspondence with John Jay on the Subject.—Plan
of a Convention of all the States to revise the Federal
System.—Washington heads the Virginia Delegation.—Insurrection
in Massachusetts.—The Convention.—A Federal Constitution
organized.—Ratified 516

CHAPTER XXXVII.

Washington talked of for the Presidency.—His Letters on the
Subject expressing his Reluctance.—His Election.—His Progress to
the Seat of Government.—His Reception at New York.—The
Inauguration 534

LIFE OF WASHINGTON.