1 venty killed; among the last, were general Agnew, an colonel Bird, with some other excellent officers. There still remained two strong forts to be reduced the Delaware. These were Mud Island, and Red Ban The various obstructions which the Americans had throw in the way, rendered it necessary to bring up the August a ship of the line, and the Merlin frigate, to the attack Mud Island; but during the heat of the action, both wer grounded. The Americans observing this, sent down fou fire ships, and directed the whole fire from their gallery against them; but the courage and skill of the British sea men, prevented the former from taking effect. But during the engagement both the Augusta and Merlin took fire and were burnt; and the other ships were obliged to with draw. The Americans, encouraged by this, proceeded to throw new obstructions in the way; but the British general having found means to convey a number of cannon, andto erect batteries within gunshot of the fort by land, and having brought up three ships of the line, mounted with heavy cannon, and the Vigilant, a large ship cut down so as to draw but little water, mounted with 24 pounders, made her way to a position from which she might enfilade the works on Mud Island. This gave the British such an advantage, that the post was no longer tenable. Colonel Smith, who had with great gallantry defended the fort from the latter end of September, to the 11th of November, being wounded, was removed to the main; within five days after his removal, major Thayer, nobly offered to take charge of this dangerous post; but was obliged to evacuate it within twenty-five days. But this event did not take place until the works were entirely beat down, every piece of cannon dismounted, and one of the British ships so near, that she threw hand-grenadoes into the fort, and killed the men who were uncovered on the platform. The troops who had so bravely defended fort Mifflin, (which was the name given to it) made a safe retreat to Red Bank. Within three days after Mud Island was evacuated, the garrison was also withdrawn from Red Bank on the approach of lord Cornwallis. A great number of the American shipping, now entirely without p ailed up the river in the night time. Seventeen, er, remained, whose retreat was intercepted, by a and some armed vessels; on which the Americans m on shore and burnt them. s the campaign of 1777, in Pennsylvania, concluded sfully on the part of the British. In the North, er, matters wore a different aspect. The expedition quarter, had been projected by the British minis- the most effectual method that could be taken to -ate the colonies at once. The New England prowere still considered by the British, as the most active continuation of the war; and it was thought, that any ssion made upon them, would contribute in an effecLanner, to the reduction of the rest. carry this into execution, an army of four thousand. British troops, and three thousand Germans, were der the command of general Burgoyne; and general on, was directed to use his interest with the Indians, suade them to join in this expedition; and the proof Quebec was to furnish large partie to join in the The officers who commanded under general Bur, were general Phillips of the artillery, generals Fraowel and Hamilton, with the German officers, geneLeidesel and Speecht. use soldiers were under excellent discipline, and had kept in their winter quarters with great care, that night be prepared for the expedition, on which they going. To ensure the success of the main expedianother was formed on the Mohawk River, under el St. Leger, who was to be assisted by Sir William on, who had so greatly signalized himself, in the war 55. On the 21st of June, 1777, the British army ened on the western side of Lake Champlain; where joined by a considerable body of Indians, general oyne made a speech, in which he exhorted these new , to lay aside their ferocious and barbarous manner making war; to kill only such as opposed them in ; and to spare prisoners, and such women and ren, as should fall into their hands. He afterwards do proclamation in which the fome of Raisin and 1 nervous language, calculated to intimidate the provin but it had a contrary effect. The campaign opened with the siege of Ticonde This place was very strong, and garrisoned by six thou men under general St. Clair; nevertheless the works so extensive, that even this number was not thought cient to defend them properly. They had therefore ted to fortify a rugged eminence, called Sugar hill, w overlooked, and effectually commanded the whole we The Americans vainly imagined, that it was of too diff an ascent, for the enemy to take possession of it; or approach of the first division of the army, the provin abandoned, and set fire to their outworks, and so expe ous were the British troops, that on the 5th of July, e post was secured, which was judged necessary for in ing it completely. A road was soon after made to the very summit of eminence which the Americans supposed could not ascended; and they were now so much disheartened, they instantly abandoned the fort, and made a precipi retreat to Skenesborough, a place to the south of L George; while their baggage and military stores, wh they could not carry off, were sent to the same place water. But the British generals were not disposed to them get off so easily; but pursued and overtook th Their armed vessels consisted only of five galleys; of which were taken, and three blown up; on which t set fire to their boats and fortifications, at Skenesborou The provincials lost two hundred boats, and one hund and thirty pieces of cannon, with all their provisions baggage. Their land forces under colonel Francis, made a br defence against general Fraser; and as they were super in number, they almost overpowered him, when gene Reidesel with a large body of Germans came to his ass ance. The Americans were now overpowered in the turn; their commander killed, they fled in every dir tion. In this action two hundred of the provincials w killed, as many taken prisoners, and above six hund wounded; many of whom perished in the woods for w of assistance. ing the engagement general St. Clair was at Castleout six miles from the place; but instead of going d to fort Ann, the next place of strength, he repairhe woods which lie between that fortress and New d. General Burgoyne therefore detached colonel with the ninth regiment to intercept their retreat s fort Ann: on his way he met with a body of the , said to be six times as numerous as his own; but n engagement of three hours, they were obliged to with great loss. r so many disasters, and finding themselves unable ke any stand at fort Ann, they set fire to it, and reo fort Edward. In all these engagements, the loss killed and wounded in the royal army did not exwo hundred men. General Burgoyne now suspendoperations for some time; and waited at Skenesbofor the arrival of his tents, provisions, &c. But em1 this interval in making roads through the country fort Ann, and in clearing a passage for his troops ceed against the enemy. This was attended with inle toil. But the resolution and patience of the army Dunted all obstacles. us, after having undergone the greatest difficulties, aving made every exertion that man could make, he ed with his army before fort Edward about the latter of July. Here general Schuyler had been for some endeavouring to recruit the scattered American forces, ad been joined by general St. Clair with the remains, sarmy; the garrison of fort George had also taken er there. But on the approach of the royal army they ed from fort Edward, and formed their head quarters ratoga. twithstanding these discouraging circumstances, the ricans shewed no disposition to submit ; but prepared e best manner they could to make the most effectual Cance. For this purpose the militia was every where I and draughted, to join the army at Saratoga ; and numbers of volunteers were obtained, that they soon. to recover from the alarm into which their late losses thrown them. siderable train of artillery; but receiving intelligence tl colonel St. Leger was proceeding with great rapidity in h expedition on the Mohawk river, he removed to Still Wate a place about half way between Saratoga and the juncti of the Mohawk with Hudson's river. as far The colonel in the mean time, had advanced fort Stanwix; the siege of which he pressed with gre vigour; and understanding that a supply of provision guarded by eight or nine hundred men, was on its way the fort, he dispatched Sir John Johnson with a strong d tachment, to intercept it. This he performed so effectual that four hundred of the escort were slain, and two hu dred taken; the residue escaping with great difficult The garrison, it was expected, would be intimidated this disaster, and by the threats and representations of S Leger: on the contrary, they made several successf sallies under colonel Willet, the second officer in cor mand; who, with another gentleman, ventured out of th fort, and eluding the vigilance of the enemy, passed throug them, in order to hasten the march of general Arnold their relief. The affairs of colonel St. Leger, notwithstanding h recent success, appeared in no very favourable situation and they were totally ruined by the desertion of the I dians; who had been alarmed by the report of gener Arnold's advancing with two thousand men, to the reli of the fort; and while the colonel was endeavouring to en courage them, another report was spread that gener Burgoyne had been defeated with great slaughter, and wa flying before the provincials. On this he was obliged comply with their fears, and ordered a retreat; which wa not effected without the loss of the tents, some artiller and military stores. Difficulties and disappointments still continued to pro upon general Burgoyne: the roads he had made with s much labour and pains, were destroyed by the enemy, an wetress of the season; so that provisions from fort Georg could not be brought to his camp, without prodigious to Having been informed of the siege of fort Stanwix, b colonel St. Leger, he determined to move forward, that l might enclose the enemy betwixt his own army and tha of St. Leger; and in hopes of securing the command c |