Page:History of the United States of America, Spencer, v1.djvu/516

 

1777.

Washington was engaged, as we have related, in endeavoring to maintain the cause of liberty in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, the northern campaign was carried on with vigor and with brilliant success. We have before spoken of the plan of the British commander to open a passage by way of the Hudson to Canada, and thus sever the Eastern States from the remainder of the confederacy, a plan which, if it could have been effected, would have seriously injured the American cause. On a previous page (see pp. 370-4) we have told the story of the Canada expedition and its ill success, until in June, 1776, the Americans entirely evacuated Canada. We have also detailed the vigorous efforts of Carleton to advance southwardly, (p. 427, etc.) and the obstinate resistance of the Americans on the Lake under Arnold The approach of winter prevented that able British officer from further advances. We now take up the story at the opening of the campaign of 1777.

General Burgoyne, who was an ambitious enterprising man, had succeeded in obtaining the command of the British forces in Canada, notwithstanding Carleton had displayed superior ability in conducting operations in that quarter the year previous, and was entitled to a continuance of his command. Burgoyne had visited England during the winter, concerted with the ministry a plan of the campaign, and given an estimate of the force necessary for its successful execution. Several distinguished officers were sent out with him, as Generals Philips, Fraser, Powel, Hamilton, Reidesel, and Specht. 