Page:History of the United States of America, Spencer, v1.djvu/522

490 more vigorous resolves to maintain the cause of liberty even unto death.

Certainly, the campaign had been opened and prosecuted thus far in a very dashing style by Burgoyne, and had he been able to press forward, it is quite possible that success might have crowned his efforts. But there were some sixteen miles of forest yet to be traversed; Burgoyne delayed for his baggage and stores; and meanwhile, General Schuyler, who was in command of the American forces, took such steps as would necessarily put a stop to the rapid approach of the enemy. Trenches were opened; the roads and paths were obstructed; the bridges were broken up; and in the only practicable denies, large trees were cut in such a manner, on both sides of the road, as to fall across and lengthwise, which, with their branches interwoven, presented an insurmountable barrier: in a word, this wilderness, of itself by no means easy of passage, was thus rendered almost absolutely impenetrable. Nor did Schuyler rest satisfied with these precautions; he directed the cattle to be removed to the most distant places, and the stores and baggage from Fort George to Fort Edward, that articles of such necessity for the troops might not fall into the power of the British. He urgently demanded that all the regiments of regular troops found in the adjacent states should be sent, without delay, to join him; he also made earnest and frequent calls upon the militia of New England and of New York. He likewise exerted his utmost endeavors to procure himself recruits in the vicinity of Fort Edward and the city of Albany; the great influence he enjoyed with the inhabitants, gave him, in this quarter, all the success he could desire Finally, to retard the progress of the enemy, he resolved to threaten his left flank. Accordingly, he detached Colonel Warner, with his regiment, into the state of Vermont, with orders to assemble the militia of the country, and to make incursions towards Ticonderoga. In fact, Schuyler did every thing which was possible to be done under the circumstances; and it is not too much to assert, in justice to the good name of General Schuyler, that the measures which he adopted paved the way to the victory which finally crowned the American arms at Saratoga.

Washington, equally with Congress, supposing that Schuyler's force was stronger, and that of the British weaker, than was really the case, was very greatly distressed and astonished at the disasters which befell the American cause in the north. He waited, therefore, with no little anxiety, later and more correct information before he was willing to pronounce positively upon the course pursued by St. Clair. When that officer joined Schuyler, the whole force did not exceed four thousand four hundred men; about half of these were militia, and the whole were ill clothed, badly armed, and greatly dispirited by the recent reverses. Very ungenerously and unjustly, it was proposed to remove the northern officers from the command, and send successors in their places. An inquiry was instituted by order of Congress, which resulted honorably for Schuyler and