this scheme was abandoned, and Admiral Arbuthnot blockaded the harbour by anchoring with the British fleet in Gardner's bay. Independent of the movements of the regular army, a predatory kind of warfare had for some time been carried on by the loyal refugees, who, making use of whale boats, landed on the Jersey shore, carried off cattle, and inflicted other damage on the enemy. For the protection of these parties, a blockhouse had been constructed on the brink of the Hudson's or North River. Their conduct at length became so daring that General Wayne, one of the famed American officers, was induced to attack this block-house with his brigade. The refugees fought with such obstinacy and determined courage that he was obliged to retire after some loss. A song appeared in the New York Gazette descriptive of this rencounter. It was attributed to the pen of the Adjutant-General, Major Andrè, and the concluding stanza (supposing him to be the author) was too prophetic of his most unfortunate fate

And now I have finished my Epic strain,

I tremble as I shew it,

Lest some warrior drover Wayne

Should ever catch the poet.

The 76th and 80th Regiments were now again brought together under the orders of Lieutenant-Colonel Dundas, being employed in garrisoning the lines at Kingsbridge, where a stream runs, separating New York from the

mainland and forming an island. The 80th had the advantage in being commanded by such officers as Lieutenant-Colonel Dundas and Major Gordon, yet the 76th, although without a field officer, maintained a good character. The highlanders had made great progress in acquiring the English language and began to lose that feeling of jealousy which too often subsists betwixt highlanders and lowlanders. A considerable space of ground outside the lines was unoccupied by the real inhabitants, and had got the name of neutral. The loyal refugees had taken up their abode in the deserted farm-houses, from whence they continually sent out foraging parties, and for their protection a redoubt, called No. 8, was kept up, being one of a chain constructed for the defence of the army when encamped on this ground. A captain and 100 men were sent from the lines to defend the place in case of the enemy's coming down on the refugees, a duty which lasted forty-eight hours, and as it was necessary to shut up the work at nightfall, and man the parapet during the whole night, one half standing to their arms and the other half reposing, the soldiers thus acquired a good idea of their duty. Foraging parties also often went out sometimes under the orders of Hessian field officers, who spoke English indifferently. On one of these occasions the charge of an old redoubt which happened to be on the road was entrusted to a subaltern's party, while the rest marched forward: as it was on the

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flank, the officer naturally asked for orders, the Hessian field-officer immediately replied, "I give you order; you and your men die here while we go forward," meaning, that in case the enemy should come on the flanks they were to defend the work to the last extremity. These and other incidents tended greatly to improve the soldiers.

It was about this time that a correspondence commenced betwixt the American General Arnold and the British. General Arnold was entrusted by the enemy with the command of a most important post high up the North River, a second Gibraltar, and commanding the intercourse betwixt the northern and southern parts of America. To facilitate the business, the Vulture sloop of war was sent up the North River, having on board Colonel Beverley Robinson a loyalist gentleman whose property was situated in that district. Major André accompanied this officer, and when at anchor in a particular place they were boarded by a boat from the shore in which Major André chose to embark and go on shore where he met General Arnold; but owing to circumstances he could not get on board again, and having a passport from that American General, he attempted to pass into the British lines at Kingsbridge by land, but was intercepted and made prisoner at Tarrytown, and the circumstance being reported to General Washington, his case was referred to a board of general officers, of which General Green was president,

and the Marquis la Fayette a member, and he lost his life. The story is too well known to be detailed here, but the following passage in the letter from that unfortunate officer to General Washington, wherein he discloses himself and his purposes, in some degree bears upon this narrative:-"I take the liberty to mention the condition of some gentlemen at Charlestown, who, being either on parole or under protections, were engaged in a conspiracy against us; though their situation is not similar, they are objects who may be sent in exchange for me, or are persons whom the treatment I receive may in some degree affect." This most accomplished, and much to be lamented officer, raised to high rank by his own merit, was put to death on a gibbet erected in front of the American army, on the 2d October 1780, in the 29th year of his age. No British friend attended at his last moments; but in justice to humanity it is pleasing to record the tender attention he received from every American officer intrusted with the security of his person, and the conducting him to the scaffold; nor was there an eye amongst the multitude of spectators who witnessed his execution unmoistened by a tear.*

His Excellency Sir Henry Clinton, immediately on

* The manner of his execution was scarcely justifiable by the sternest rules of international law. It was one of the few acts which can be cited as discreditable to the great hero Washington, and like the case of Asgill (of which hereafter) was the fruit of the proverbial bitterness of a civil war.-Phillimore, vol. iii., p. 156.

receiving the accounts of the action at Camden, had ordered a detachment of the army to be embarked under the orders of the Hon. General Leslie, and to sail for the Chesapeake Bay, and to land there, making a diversion in favour of Earl Cornwallis, whose orders they were also directed to obey. The Foot Guards and Hessian Regiment de Bosc, with some provincial corps and detachments both of cavalry and infantry composed this force, amounting to nearly 3000 men. They took post at Portsmouth on the Elizabeth River, and were preparing to strengthen themselves, when they received orders from Earl Cornwallis to re-embark and join him in South Carolina. Earl Cornwallis moved to the northward with the troops who had fought at Camden after receiving stores, etc., about the 8th September, penetrating North Carolina, where it was supposed the majority of the inhabitants were friendly to Great Britain. This State is much intersected with rivers and creeks, and at that period abounded also in swamps and morasses. many districts also where settlers had located themselves the country was extremely barren. His lordship, however, persevered, and took the road to Salisbury, having Lieutenant-Colonel Tarleton's corps on his left flank, and Major Ferguson's corps still more to the westward. This last most enterprising officer was employed on the outposts of the army, with about 150 provincial troops and a considerable number of loyalist militia

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