Page:The Marquess of Hastings, K.G..djvu/22

14 landed (about the beginning of 1774) the colonists were seething in excitement; the cargoes of tea had just been destroyed at Boston, and the crisis was about to reach its climax, — soon to be solved by war. In the troubles that followed he distinguished himself, and displayed qualities of no mean order; he had to undertake responsible duties, and these he discharged with ability, firmness, and courage; in America he laid the foundation of his subsequent career. The school in which he received this early training, was one of adversity and depression, well nigh of despair. The struggle was a fratricidal one; the British commanders were men of inferior capacity; the support they received from home was half-hearted; they were opposed to leaders of energy and of genuine enthusiasm; they were confronted by a hostile population which refused to be conciliated and which was not to be trusted.

The British army, unaccustomed to reverses, was harassed and humiliated; raw levies were gaining on seasoned troops; battle after battle was won by the British forces, and yet no advantage followed; skirmishes were lost, and immediately the Royalists had to evacuate a province. No progress was made, and finally the Colonies separated themselves for ever from the British Crown.

Rawdon took part in the Battle of Bunker's Hill in June, 1775, where he first saw active service, and there he displayed such conspicuous gallantry as to attract special notice from General Burgoyne, who in