Page:The Hessians and the other German auxiliaries of Great Britain in the revolutionary war.djvu/173

 to be delivered into Sir Henry's own hands. The letter urged Clinton to hasten his advance and create a diversion in Burgoyne's favor. The messenger made his way through the hostile country to Fort Montgomery, but here his presence of mind would seem to have deserted him. He is said to have mistaken American troops for English, to have inquired for General Clinton, and not to have discovered his blunder until he was brought into the presence, not of Sir Henry, but of the American General Clinton. The man then swallowed the bullet, but an emetic was administered, the despatch was found, and the messenger hanged as a spy. On the 6th of October, Forts Clinton and Montgomery were stormed by Sir Henry Clinton. One Anspach regiment, one Hessian regiment, and two companies of Hessian chasseurs, which last had lately arrived from Europe, took part in this feat. The Hudson was thrown open to the British. This would have been the time to push on to Burgoyne's relief, but Sir William Howe had led the larger part of his army to Philadelphia, and only a small expedition, under General Vaughan, came burning and plundering up the Hudson.

Burgoyne's situation was becoming daily more critical. On the 4th of October one third was cut off from the soldiers' rations. Desertions had become frequent, in spite of severe punishments; even the