GREAT DISTRESS IN THE ARMY.

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proofs we have received from the commonwealth of Maryland of their attachment to the alliance, and of their zeal for the common cause. We are particularly indebted for the late resolve of the General Assembly respecting the exportation of provisions for the use of his Majesty's fleets and armies in the West Indies, which will afford us a relief the more necessary on account of the impediments we meet with in many quarters, and the increased demands made on us, in consequence of the late conquests and acquisitions in the West Indies and the numerous navy at present collected in those seas."

In September, 1779, Gérard was succeeded by the Chevalier de la Luzerne, as ambassador to the United States, and on the 3d of December, the governor and council addressed him the following letter:

"We were honored with your Excellency's letter of the 17th ult. The polite assurance that you received pleasure when you understood the commander of his Most Christian Majesty's squadron had made choice of this station because you could rely on us for succor, communicated the highest satisfaction. Such is our inclination to render every assistance in our power to the troops of our illustrious ally, that nothing was necessary to prompt us to an exertion for their relief, but a communication of their wants and sufferings. Our duty, seconded by our attachment to friends who have bravely fought and bled in the cause of liberty, lead us to consider their distresses as our own, and make our exertions to provide the sick and wounded with suitable lodgings and proper sustenance, the most pleasing task. Victualling the squadron is certainly an important object, and demands our utmost endeavors to enable Mons. De Grasse, or any other French commander, to procure full and speedy supplies for the use of the fleet. The congratulation of your Excellency is flattering. Convinced that America is interested in the judicious appointments of your king, it gives us infinite pleasure in felicitating you and United America on your Excellency's appointment, which alone can console us for the loss of your worthy predecessor, whose goodness of heart impelled him on every occasion to exert his extraordinary abilities in promoting such measures as tended, not only to render the present happy connexion between France and America permanent, but to secure the happiness and independence of the latter."

The winter of 1779, set in with so much severity, that the channels of transportation were closed, and the troops in the neighborhood of West Point and Morristown were reduced to the greatest distress for the want of provisions. Washington, with great foresight, had anticipated this, for on the 4th of October, in a letter to the president of congress, he observed that "it would be well for the Marine Committee to be directed to turn their attention to the transportation of flour from the Delaware and Chesapeake by water. Should we obtain the command of the sea, vessels might, without the least danger be introduced within the Hook, thence to Amboy, from whence their cargoes might easily be conveyed in boats up Newark Bay. Or should some of them run round into the Sound, it would be equally, nay, more convenient. Should we operate to the eastward, measures of this kind will be indispensably necessary, as the length and difficulty of land carriage. will render the support of any considerable body of men almost impossible. The wheat of Maryland being in more forwardness for grinding than any other, I could wish that Governor Johnson may be requested to push the purchases within that State. The commissary-general gives the fullest encouragement on the score of beef, but of flour he continues to express his fears.""

1 Sparks, vi., p. 370.

In compliance with this request the president of congress called the attention of the governor to the subject and urged his immediate action, as the distressed condition of the army made it necessary to collect supplies from Maryland.

After the assembling of the legislature, the governor laid the matter before it, and they soon passed "an Act for the immediate supply of flour and other provisions for the army." Under this law there were appointed in each county, commissioners for the collection of wheat, flour, rye and corn. For these supplies they were authorized to make diligent search, and under certain restrictions to seize them wherever found, upon giving the owners certificates, expressing the time, quantity and price of the articles seized. It also authorized the commissioners to hire or press into service, carriages, wagons, or vessels, for the purpose of conveying the said articles to the place of destination in the State.

To carry out the provisions of this Act, Governor Lee, on the 29th of December, 1779, issued the following proclamation:

"WHEREAS, It is represented, by the most unquestionable authority, that the army of the United States is greatly distressed for want of flour and forage, and that they will infallibly disband, unless the most speedy and extraordinary exertions are made by this State to procure those articles for their relief:

"And, whereas, the General Assembly have enacted a law entitled 'An Act for the immediate supply of flour and other provisions for the army,' which requires the utmost efforts of every worthy citizen of this State to carry the same into full and speedy execution:

"I do therefore most earnestly entreat, conjure, require and enjoin, all justices of the peace, sheriffs and their deputies, constables, and all other the good citizens of this State, by that love of their country, that patriotic zeal and magnanimity which have hitherto distinguished their conduct in the present glorious contest for life, liberty and property, to exert themselves to the utmost at this critical emergency in procuring and furnishing flour and other provisions for the immediate relief of the army, in their present alarming distress, and rendering every assistance to the commissioners in carrying the said law into execution."

And "for recruiting the quota of troops of this State in the American army," the legislature also passed an Act for calling into service 1,400 men to serve three years, or during the war. These recruits were apportioned among the several counties, and upon their enlistment in case of death, their legal representatives at the end of three years were entitled to fifty acres of land. And the county courts were authorized at their discretion to draw on the county treasurers for the maintenance of the needy families of such recruits. Any recruiting officer who should by the first of March following, enlist and turn over to the State twenty serviceable recruits, was entitled to receive one hundred acres of land, and upon enlisting the same by the first of April, was entitled to fifty acres. All soldiers whose terms of enlistment expired in 1780, and who had re-enlisted, were entitled to the same benefits as those enlisted under this Act.

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CHAPTER XXV.

SIR HENRY CLINTON, finding that he had not sufficient force to warrant an attack upon Washington's camp at West Point, turned his attention. towards the south, hoping, by a successful expedition in that section, to counterbalance ill-success in other quarters. He, therefore, strongly fortified New York and Brooklyn, and withdrawing his forces from Stony and Verplanck's Points and other places, and concentrating them within his works, made preparations for an expedition to capture Charleston and reduce South Carolina.

Leaving the command in New York to General Knyphausen, Clinton embarked eight thousand five hundred men, accompanied by Lord Cornwallis, and set sail on the 26th day of December, 1779, under the convoy of Admiral Arbuthnot. After a long, tempestuous and disastrous voyage, the scattered fleet arrived, about the end of January, at Tybee Bay, Savannah River. On the 10th of February, 1780, the army sailed from Savannah to North Edisto Sound, where the troops disembarked on the 11th, on St. John's Island, about thirty miles below Charleston. From this point Sir Henry Clinton, by a slow and cautious march, proceeded to Ashley River, opposite the city, while a part of the fleet went round by sea, for the

purpose of blockading the port. On the 12th of GENERAL BARON DE KALB March, Clinton took up a position on Charleston Neck, a few miles above the town, and began the investment. He had under his command, at this time, about ten thousand men, which were soon increased by Lord Rawdon's brigade, of eight regiments, or about three thousand more from New York.

Washington was now very anxious about these movements in the South; and upon hearing of the embarkation of Rawdon's brigade, became convinced that the enemy intended to make that the principal theatre of the war. He would have hastened thither to take command in person had not his presence been required to watch New York and secure the Hudson. He had, however, every confidence in General Lincoln,, the commander at Charleston, whom he proceeded to reinforce. With the consent of congress, he put the Maryland Line under marching orders, together with Kirkwood's Delaware regiment, which acted with it. The Maryland division, at this time numbering about two thousand men, under the command