Page:History of the United States of America, Spencer, v1.djvu/502

470 humanity: they abstained from the pillage of private property, and even permitted the prisoners to retain what belonged to them. Congress presented Colonel Meigs with a sword, and publicly thanked him and the brave men under his command.

General Howe's plans for the opening of the campaign, appear to have been well laid, and had he been sufficiently furnished with troops, and acted with promptitude and vigor, there was every reason to suppose that he might have been successful. But Howe was not well supplied with reinforcements, and late into the spring he remained singularly inactive. Washington, accordingly, was gradually filling up the ranks, to be able to sustain the contest. Unable, as yet, to penetrate the designs of Howe, he watched anxiously for the earliest indications, by which he might learn where the British commander intended to strike the first blow. In the present uncertainty, Washington made such disposition of his forces, as seemed best calculated to meet the emergency. Accordingly, the troops raised in the northern provinces, were stationed partly at Ticonderoga, and partly at Peekskill; those of the middle and southern provinces, as far as North Carolina, occupied New Jersey; leaving a few corps for the protection of the more western provinces.

In this manner, if General Howe moved against Philadelphia, he would find in front all the forces assembled in New Jersey, and in addition, those encamped at Peekskill, who would have descended to harass his right flank. If, on the other hand, he took the direction of Albany, the corps at Peekskill would defend the passages in front, while his left flank might also be attacked by the troops of New Jersey, upon the banks of the Hudson. If, on the contrary, the English force in Canada were to come by sea, to join that of General Howe upon the shores of New Jersey, the troops at Peekskill could immediately unite with those that occupied the same province, and thus compose a formidable army for the defence of Philadelphia. If, finally, the army in Canada attacked Ticonderoga, the troops at Peekskill might carry succors to those who were charged with the defence of that fortress. But as it was of great importance to preserve Philadelphia in the power of the United States, Congress ordered the formation of a camp upon the western bank of the Delaware, with the double object of receiving all the troops that arrived from the south and west, and of serving, in case of need, as a reserve. Here also were to assemble all the recruits from Pennsylvania, reinforced by several regiments of continental troops. Arnold, who was at the time in Philadelphia, was placed in command at this post.

Washington, having received a seasonable supply of twenty-four thousand muskets, just arrived from France, left Morristown, and towards the latter part of May, occupied a strong position at Middlebrook, nine miles from New Brunswick. On the 13th of June, Howe marched out of New Brunswick, ostensibly to attack Philadelphia, but in reality, if possible,