From The Athenæum.

Life of George Washington. By Washington Irving. Vol. IV. Conclusion of the American War. (Bohn.)

these physical privations, the army had also to contend against vicious moral influences,the pride, the dishonesty, the petulant caprice of General Arnold, whose ostentations emMR. IRVING'S fourth volume contains a bittered the jealousies of Philadelphia, and tragedy, an idyl, and a poem, the story of whose attachment to the daughter of a susAndre's fate and Arnold's treachery, the pic-pected person gave rise to unappeasable ture of Washington's retirement among scandals. Moreover, military affairs were honeysuckles and balsam-trees, and of his generally in a precarious condition; South triumph as First President amidst the cheers Carolina was threatened; Sir Henry Clinton and prayers of a new nation. We forget his was advancing upon Charlestown; troops were gloomy vigil on the banks of Assanpink, embarking from New York; the South was Lord Cornwallis in front, the frozen Delaware in danger; the North could spare no assist behind, and upon the Assanpink bridge we ance; it was as much as Washington could see an arch of laurels and a procession of do to protect the vital centre of the conyoung girls in white garments strewing federacy. As to the patriotic battalions, flowers before "the defender of the mothers, their spirit was admirable; but what could be the protector of the daughters.". What a expected from human nature when, with the contrast in that New Jersey progress to the depreciated paper currency, four months' pay New Jersey campaign, between the illumina- of a private soldier would not procure for his tions of war and peace, the salute of cheerful family a single bushel of wheat, when the guns and the deadly duel between the British pay of a colonel would not supply oats for and American batteries! When "the grand- his horse, when the earnings of a laborer est of causes had been won by skirmishes of were fourfold those of many a commissioned sentinels and outposts," and the greatest of officer? Such were the General's embarrassNew World soldiers and citizens was ap-ments: as usual, he met them coolly and pointed to guard the free commonwealth he sagaciously; but his lieutenants had now upon had created, it was not love of country, it was not ambitious thirst that induced him to leave the grape-vines of Mount Vernon, the ivy, the hemlock, the holly, and green briars his Ferguson was a fit associate for Tarleton hands had planted. There is more excite- in hardy, scrambling, partisan enterprise; ment, more tumult, more dramatic brilliance, equally intrepid and determined, but cooler in the history of the war, but that which will and more open to impulses of humanity. He forever fascinate mankind is the spectacle of was the son of an eminent Scotch judge, and Washington supreme in the American Re-entered the army at an early age, and served public,

—a statesman and a warrior reverenced from ocean to ocean, a phenomenon to Europe, an idol of the mnltitude, yet not once deserting his genial and simple virtues, or yearning for the crown or mantle to purchase which others had sacrificed their souls, but which were freely offered to him.

The events recorded in this volume are those which transpired between January, 1780, and April, 1789. From that January to that April was the epoch of a revolution completed. The year 1780 opened when Washington was in camp at Valley Forge, his soldiers famished on half allowance, often without meat or bread, suffering from cold no less than hunger, compelled to draw upon the stinted resources of the inhabitants, and exposed to harrassing attacks which they had few means of repelling. In the midst of DCXCXIX. LIVING AGE. VOL. XIX. 12

their hands the defence of Charlestown, assailed by the great force under Clinton, Tarleton's dragoons, Ferguson's riflemen.

in the German wars. The British extolled him as superior to the American Indians in the use of the rifle, in short, as being the best marksman living. He had invented one which could be loaded at the breech and discharged seven times in a minute. It had been used with effect by his corps. Washington, according to British authority, had owed his life at the battle of Germantown solely to Ferguson's ignorance of his person, having repeatedly been within reach of the colonel's unerring rifle."

Ferguson was a noble soldier, and Mr. Irving does full justice to his manly qualities.

"Several dragoons of the British legion broke into a house in the neighborhood of Monk's Corner, and maltreated and attempted violence upon ladies residing there. The ladies escaped to Monk's Corner, where they were protected, and a carriage furnished to

dra- | been

measure.

convey them to a place of safety. The dra- | been their boast in 1727 "to pay no tribute goons were apprehended and brought to to God or Cæsar," Mr. Irving describes Monk's Corner, where by this time Colonel with his invariable felicity the struggle Webster had arrived. Major Ferguson, we are told, was for putting the dragoons to in- among the Carolinian canebrakes, laurel but many will stant death, but Col. Webster did not think copses, and morasses; pass on his powers warranted such a eagerly to his narration of André's story, roThey were sent to head-quarters,' adds the mantic from the first, and so deeply tragic at historian, and, I believe, afterwards tried its close. Far more than the novelist does and whipped.' We gladly record one in- the historian interest us in the career of that stance in which the atrocities which disgraced amiable and unhappy man-his love of this invasion met with some degree of pun- Honora Sneyd, step-mother to Miss Edgeishment; and we honor the rough soldier, Ferguson, for the fiat of 'instant death,' with worth, his mimic chivalry in the part of which he would have requited the most in- the Mischianza at Philadelphia, as "knight famous and dastardly outrage that brutalizes champion of beauty,"-his landing at Long warfare." Clove, "haunt of the owl and whippoorwill," -his disguise, his lonely march,-his capture, his melancholy execution. To the anecdote of his correspondence with Mrs. Arnold Mr. Irving refers.—

The capitulation of Charlestown was a serious blow to the American cause; but the British commander too rapidly calculated that it implied the full subjugation of the South. An ordinary enemy might have been disheartened, but every volunteer in the American army was an extraordinary man, and stood to his colors with extraordinary tenacity. Among the bravest was Caldwell, the Presbyterian minister, who was wont in former years to discourse with a pair of pistols on his pulpit cushion, whom the Tories styled a "Black-coated, rebel firebrand," and the patriots "a rousing, gospel preacher." His wife was murdered during the sack of a village by the British, when Knyphausen was marauding the Jerseys. At the fight of Springfield Caldwell dealt retribution upon

his foes.

"None showed more ardor in the fight than Caldwell, the chaplain. The image of his murdered wife was before his eyes. Find ing the men in want of wadding, he galloped to the Presbyterian church and brought thence a quantity of Watts' psalm and hymn books, which he distributed for the purpose among the soldiers. Now,' cried he, put Watts into them boys!''

"It has been alleged that a correspondence had been going on between her and André previous to her marriage, and was kept up after it; but as far as we can learn, only one letter passed between them, written by André, her remembrance, assures her that respect on August 16th, 1779, in which he solicits for her, and the fair circle in which he had become acquainted with her, remains unimpaired by distance or political broils, reminds her that the Mischianza had made him a complete milliner, and offers his services to furnish her with supplies in that department. ter into the whole detail of cap, wire, needles, I shall be glad,' adds he sportively, 'to engauze, &c., and to the best of my abilities render you, in these trifles, services from which I hope you would infer a zeal to be further employed.' The apparent object of this letter was to open a convenient medium of communication, which Arnold might use without exciting her suspicion.”

Here is a sketch of the Neutral Ground, rendered famous by André's adventure :

"A beautiful region of forest-clad hills, The booming of alarm guns had roused fertile valleys, and abundant streams, but the country, every valley had poured out Skinners and Cow boys; the former professnow almost desolated by the scourings of its yeomanry,-thousands were in arms being allegiance to the American cause, the low the mountains, and after a hundred latter to the British, but both arrant marauharassing marches and battles, accompanied by afflictions of every kind, the party of independence saw the balance turn in its favor. The Jerseys were evacuated. The next campaign was among the "Scotch-Irish" of North Carolina, where Lord Cornwallis was in command. So fierce at an early period was the spirit of these borderers that it had

ders. One who had resided at the time in this region gives a sad picture of its state. Houses plundered and dismantled, enclosures broken down, cattle carried away, fields lying waste, the roads grass-grown, the country mournful, solitary, silent-reminding one of the desolation presented in the song of Deborah. In the days of Shangar, the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were

#

unoccupied, and the travellers walked in bypaths. The inhabitants of the village ceased, they ceased in Israel."

after

No one forgets how Arnold ran away his confederate had been arrested. His wife fell senseless to the floor when he confessed his position.

Mr. Irving's account of André's execution prefaced by a few remarks on his case, will

be read with interest.—

to policy and justice rather than mercy. In doing so he took counsel with some of his general officers. Their opinions coincided with his own-that, under present circumwarning to the enemy, by a rigorous observ stances, it was important to give a signal ance of the rules of war and the usages of nations in like cases. But although Mrs. Arnold remained in her room in a André's request as to the mode of his death state bordering on frenzy. Arnold might was not to be granted, it was thought best well confide in the humanity and delicacy of to let him remain in uncertainty on the sub Washington in respect to her. He regarded ject; no answer, therefore, was returned to her with the sincerest commiseration, acquit- his note. On the morning of the 2nd he ting her of all previous knowledge of her maintained a calm demeanor, though all husband's guilt. On remitting to her by one around him were gloomy and silent. He of his aides-de-camp the letter of her hus- even rebuked his servant for shedding tears. band, written from on board of the Vulture, Having breakfasted, he dressed himself with he informed her that he had done all that care in the full uniform of the British officer, depended upon himself to have him arrested, which he had sent for to New York, placed but, not having succeeded he experienced a his hat upon the table, and, accosting the offipleasure in assuring her of his safety." cers on guard-'I am ready,' said he, 'at any moment, gentlemen, to wait upon you.' He walked to the place of execution between two subaltern officers, arm in arm, with a serene countenance, bowing to several gentle"It has been alleged in André's behalf, as man whom he knew. Colonel Tallmadge aca mitigating circumstance, that he was invol- companied him and we quote his words. untarily a spy. It is true he did not come on 'When he came within sight of the gibbet shore in borrowed garb, nor with a design to he appeared to be startled, and inquired pass himself off for another, and procure se- with some emotion, whether he was not to be cret information, but he came, under cloak of shot? Being informed that the mode first midnight, in supposed safety, to effect the be- appointed for his death could not consisttrayal of a holy trust; and it was his undue ently be altered, he exclaimed, "How hard eagerness to secure the objects of this clan- is my fate?" but immediately added, "it will destine interview that brought him into the soon be over." I then shook hands with him condition of an undoubted spy. It certainly under the gallows, and retired.' While waitshould not soften our view of his mission, ing near the gallows until preparations were that he embarked in it without intending to made, says another authority, who was pressubject himself to danger. A spice of dan- ent, he evinced some nervousness, putting ger would have given it a spice of heroism, his foot on a stone and rolling it; and makhowever spurious. When the rendezvous ing an effort to swallow, as if checking an was first projected, he sought, through an in- hysterical affection of the throat. All things direct channel, to let Arnold know that he being ready, he stepped into the waggon; would come out with a flag. (We allude to appeared to shrink for an instant, but, recova letter written by him from New York on ering himself, exclaimed, 'It will be but a the 7th of September, under his feigned sig- momentary pang!' Taking off his hat and nature, to Colonel Sheldon; evidently in-stock, and opening his shirt collar, he delibtended to be seen by Arnold; I will en- erately adjusted the noose to his neck, after deavor to obtain permission to go out with a which he took out a handkerchief and tied it flag.') If an interview had taken place under over his eyes. Being told by the officer in that sacred protection, and a triumphant command that his arms must be bound, he treason had been the result, what a brand it drew out a second handkerchief, with which would have affixed to André's name, that he they were pinioned. Colonel Scammel now had prostituted a flag of truce to such an told him that he had an opportunity to speak, end. We dwell on these matters, not to if he desired it. His only reply was, I pray check the sentiment of sympathy awakened you to bear witness that I meet my fate like in Andre's behalf by his personal qualities, a brave man.' The waggon moved from but to vindicate the fair name of Washington from that 'blot' which some have attempted to cast upon it, because, in exercising his stern duty as protector of the public weal, during a time of secret treason, he listened

under him, and left him suspended. He died almost without a struggle. He remained suspended for about half an hour, during which time a deathlike stillness prevailed over the surrounding multitude.

and announced the toasts as they occurred. It is customary,' writes the marquis, toeach one for a sentiment, that is to say, the wards the end of the supper to call upon name of some lady to whom he is attached by some sentiment either of love, friendship, or simple preference.""

on

Arnold professed to fear that the American people would avenge his crime upon his wife: His fear for her personal safety from the fury of the people proved groundless. That scrupulous respect for the female sex, so prevalent throughout the United States, was her safeguard. While the whole country resounded with execrations of her husband's The conflicts with "the mountain men guilt, while his effigy was dragged through the frontiers of Carolina and Georgia resulted the streets of town and village, burnt at the disastrously for the royal arms,-the battle of stake, or swung on the gibbet, she passed on the Cowpens completed the chagrin of Cornsecure from injury or insult. The execrations wallis. He moved off with " of the populace were silenced at her ap- a Tartar move," as Clinton said, through the something like proach. Arriving at nightfall at a village where they were preparing for one of these deep, red-clay morasses, he destroyed his burnings in effigy, the pyre remained un- baggage and raced the American army to the kindled, the people dispersed quietly to their banks of the Dan.homes, and the wife of the traitor was suffered to sleep in peace."

"Great abilities were shown by the commanders on either side in this momentous trial of activity and skill. It was a long and and rough country, thinly peopled, cut up by severe march for both armies, through a wild streams, partly covered by forests, along deep

The character of Lafayette is largely developed in this volume-his egotistic, but general zeal; his fondness for showy soldiers, with trim uniforms, leathern helmets, and crests of and frozen roads, under drenching rains, horse-hairs; his eagerness to effect brilliant strokes; his admiration of Washington's horsemanship. From De Chastellux, many piquant details are derived concerning the General's life in camp:

without tents at night, and with scanty supplies of provisions. The British suffered the least, for they were well equipped and comfortably clad; whereas the poor Americans were badly off for clothing, and many of them without shoes. The patriot armies of the revolution, however, were accustomed in their winter marches to leave evidences of their hardships in bloody footprints."

To Arnold, the issue of the contest in Vir

"There were twenty guests at table that day at head quarters. The dinner was in the English style, large dishes of butcher's meat and poultry, with different kinds of vegetables, followed by pies and puddings and a dessert of apples and hickory nuts. Washington's ginia was of the last importance. fondness for the latter was noted by the "Great must have been the apprehensions marquis, and indeed was often a subject of of the traitor, while that enterprise threatened remark. He would sit picking them by the to entrap him. He knew the peculiar peril hour after dinner, as he sipped his wine and impending over him; it had been announced conversed. One of the general's aides-de- in the sturdy reply of an American prisoner, camp sat by him at the end of the table to his inquiry what his countrymen would do according to custom, to carve the dishes and to him if he were captured. They would circulate the wine. Healths were drunk and cut off the leg wounded in the service of your toasts were given; the latter were sometimes country and bury it with the honors of war; given by the general through his aide-de- the rest of you they would hang!"" camp. The conversation was tranquil and pleasant. Washington willingly entered into some details about the principal operations of the war, but always, says the marquis, with a modesty and conciseness which proved every plain and valley, narrates the progress sufficiently that it was out of pure complais- of the campaigns east and west, north and ance he consented to talk about himself. south, on land and water-on the high hills * It was about half-past seven when the com- of Santee, off the Virginian capes, at Camden, pany rose from table, shortly after which, on the Chesapeake, at the Eutaw Springs, those who were not of the household departed. and at Yorktown; where Washington himself There was a light supper of three or four fired the first great gun, where Governor dishes, with fruit, and abundance of hickory Nelson pointed out his own house as a mark nuts; the cloth was soon removed; Bordeaux

The result was favorable to the Americans, but Arnold escaped. Mr. Irving, in a style as warm and bright as the blood that flowed in

and Madeira wine were placed upon the for the artillerymen, where Cornwallis, before table, and conversation went on. Colonel the deadly struggle began, sent an aged Hamilton was the aide-de-camp who officiated, gentleman in safety out of the town, and