THE NORTHERN CAMPAIGN OF 1780.

HILE disaster hung upon the efforts of the Americans in the south, events occurring in the north added to the apparent hopelessness of their cause. Towards the end of 1779, Washington's army went into winter-quarters, the main body taking possession of the huts at Morristown, and strong detachments being posted at West Point, and other places on the Hudson.

The winter set in with much severity. The channels of transporta

tion were closed, and the troops were reduced to great distress for the want of provisions. But by the zeal and activity of the people, a suffi

Specimens of Continental Bills.

cient quantity of supplies was soon brought into camp. The garrison of New York consisted of about 10,000 men, under General Knyphausen. By the closing of the rivers, the city was exposed on every side. Knyphausen strengthened the works, and made every preparation for an attack; but he was secure, from the weakness of the American army.

The British had a post at Staten Island; and as the ice opened a free communication between the island and the Jersey coast, Washington, notwithstanding the feeble condition of his army, resolved to attack the garrison, and appointed Lord Stirling to conduct the enterprise. The night of the 14th of January was chosen for the attempt. Though the American commander took every precaution to conceal his intention, the British commanding officer on Staten Island discovered it and adopted such measures as were deemed necessary to defeat it. The attack was repulsed with but little loss on either side. Several skirmishes occurred between the foraging parties of the hostile armies, but nothing of an important character was attempted during the remainder of the winter.

Congress now found itself placed in difficult circumstances. It had resolved not to issue over $200,000,000 in Continental bills of credit. In November, 1779, the whole of that sum was issued and expended also. As the treasury was empty, and no money could be raised, Congress, on the 23d of February, resolved to call on the several states for their proportions of provisions and forage, for the maintenance of the army during the ensuing campaign; but specified no time within which these were to be collected. Consequently, the states were in no haste to send forward their supplies.

The troops were ill-clothed, their pay was in arrear, and that of the officers, owing to the great depreciation of the paper currency, was wholly unequal to their decent maintenance. These multiplied privations and sufferings soured the temper of the men; and it required all the influence. of their revered commander to prevent many of the officers from resigning their commissions. The long continuance of want and hardship produced relaxation of discipline, which at length manifested itself in open mutiny. On the 25th of May, two regiments belonging to Connecticut paraded under arms, with the avowed intention of returning home, or of obtaining subsistence at the point of the bayonet. The rest of the soldiers, though they did not join in the mutiny, showed little disposition to suppress it. At length the two regiments were brought back to their duty; but much murmuring and many complaints were heard. While the army was in such want, the inhabitants of New Jersey, where most of the troops were stationed, were unavoidably harassed by frequent requisitions, which excited considerable discontent.

EPORTS of the mutinous state of the American army, and of the dissatisfaction of the people of Jersey, probably much exaggerated, were carried to General Knyphausen; who, believing the American soldiers ready to desert their standards, and the inhabitants of Jersey willing to abandon the union, on the 6th of June, passed from Staten Island to Elizabethtown in Jersey, with 5000 men. That movement was intended to encourage the mutinous disposition of the American troops, and to fan the flame of discontent among the inhabitants of the province. Early next morning, he marched into the country towards Springfield by the way of Connecticut Farms, a flourishing plantation, so named because the cultivators had come from Connecticut. But even before reaching that place, which was only five or six miles from Elizabethtown, the British perceived that the reports which they had received concerning the discontent of the Americans were incorrect; for on the first alarm, the militia assembled with great alacrity, and, aided by some small parties of regular troops, annoyed the British by an irregular but galling fire of musketry, wherever the nature of the ground presented a favorable opportunity: and although those parties were no where strong enough to make a stand, yet they gave plain indications of the temper and resolution which were to be encountered in advancing into the country.

At Connecticut Farms, the British halted, and, knowing the zealous

attachment of the settlers to the American cause, laid the flourishing village, with its church and the minister's house, in ashes. Mrs. Caldwell, the minister's wife, was shot while in the midst of her children. The atrocious deed excited general horror, and roused the resentment of the neighboring country.

After destroying the Connecticut Farms, Knyphausen advanced towards Springfield, where a large body of Jersey militia was advantageously posted. But he had met with a reception so different from what he had expected, that he withdrew during the night to Elizabethtown, without making an attempt on the American post. Washington upon hearing of the invasion, had advanced to the hills behind Springfield, and formed his army in order for fighting. The retreat of the British rendered a battle unnecessary. They were followed by an American detachment, which attacked their rear-guard next morning, but was repulsed. The enemy lingered in the vicinity of Elizabethtown, while Washington, with less than 5000 men, remained upon the hills near Springfield, being too weak to hazard an engagement, except upon ground of his own choice.

On the 18th of June, Sir Henry Clinton, with about 5000 men, arrived at New York from South Carolina. Directed at any one point, the British army would have been irresistible. The Americans could only act upon the defensive, presenting as bold a front as possible. Clinton embarked a large body of troops, and awakened the fears of Washington lest he should sail up the Hudson and attack the posts in the highlands. In order to be in readiness to resist such attacks, the American commander left Greene at Springfield, with 700 regulars, the Jersey militia, and some cavalry, and proceeded towards Pompton, with the main body of the army. IR HENRY Clinton, after having per

plexed the Americans by his movements, early on the morning of the 23d of June,

rapidly advanced in full force from Elizabethtown towards Springfield. General Greene hastily assembled his scattered detachments, and apprised General Washington of the march of the royal army, who instantly returned to support Greene's division. The British marched in two columns; one on the main road leading to Springfield, and the other on the Vauxhall road. General Greene scarcely had time

to collect his troops at Springfield, and make the necessary dispositions, when the royal army appeared before the town, and a cannonade imme

diately began. A fordable rivulet with bridges corresponding to the different roads, runs in front of the place. Greene had stationed parties to guard the bridges, and they obstinately disputed the passage; but after a smart conflict they were overpowered, and compelled to retreat. Greene then fell back, and took post on a range of hills, where he expected to be again attacked. But the British, instead of attempting to pursue their advantage, contented themselves with setting fire to the village, and laying the greater part of it in ashes. Discouraged by the obstinate resistance they had received, and ignorant of the weakness of the detachment which opposed them, they immediately retreated to Elizabethtown, pursued with the utmost animosity by the militia, who were provoked at the burning of Springfield. They arrived at Elizabethtown about sunset; and continuing their march to Elizabeth Point, began at midnight to pass over to Staten Island. Before six next morn ing they had entirely evacuated the Jerseys, and removed the bridge of boats which communicated with Staten Island.

Washington was informed of Sir Henry Clinton's march soon after the British left Elizabethtown; but though he hastily returned, the skirmish at Springfield was over before he reached the vicinity.

After Clinton left the Jerseys, Washington planned an enterprise against a British post at Bergen Point on the Hudson, opposite New York, garrisoned by 70 loyalists. It was intended to reduce the post, and carry off a number of cattle on Bergen Neck. General Wayne, with a respectable force, marched against the post, which consisted of a blockhouse, covered by an abbatis and palisade. Wayne pointed his artillery against the block-house, but his field-pieces made no impression on the logs. He then attempted to storm the works, but was repulsed with