Chapter V

Gloomy opening of the year--Distresses of the army--Revolt of the
Pennsylvania line--Negotiations--Revolt of the New Jersey
troops--Arnold's expedition to Virginia--Progress of the war at the
South--Distresses at the North--Active movements of Brant in the Mohawk
country--Meditated attack upon the Oneidas--Letter of Colonel
Claus--Destitution of the country--Letter of General
Schuyler--Destruction of Fort Schuyler by fire and flood--Suspicions of
design--General Clinton's correspondence respecting that
catastrophe--Hostile indications in the North--Indications of extensive
treachery--Arrest of the disaffected at Ballston and its
vicinity--Bearing of Washington in adversity--Colonel Willett appointed
to the command of the Mohawk District--Slender means at his
disposal--Burning of Currie-town--Battle of Durlagh--Defeat of the
Indians--Death of Captain McKean--Irruption into Palatine--Willett's
letter to Washington--Willett's influence upon the broken
militia--Battle near the German Flats--Death of Solomon Woodworth--Story
of John Christian Shell--Invasion of Ulster County by Indians and Tories
under Captain Cauldwell--Another case of individual bravery--Incidents on
the Kentucky border.

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