him, wrecking and defeating it before the outgeneraled Cornwallis
could get up with the main army. Washington had thus shown the
highest form of military skill, for there is nothing that
requires so much judgment and knowledge, so much certainty of
movement and quick decision, as to meet a superior enemy at
different points, force the fighting, and at each point to
outnumber and overwhelm him.

But the military part of this great campaign was not all. Many
great soldiers have not been statesmen, and have failed to
realize the political necessities of the situation. Washington
presented the rare combination of a great soldier and a great
statesman as well. He aimed not only to win battles, but by his
operations in the field to influence the political situation and
affect public opinion. The American Revolution was going to
pieces. Unless some decisive victory could be won immediately, it
would have come to an end in the winter of 1776-77. This
Washington knew, and it was this which nerved his arm. The
results justified his forethought. The victories of Trenton and
Princeton restored the failing spirits of the people, and, what
was hardly less important, produced a deep impression in Europe
in favor of the colonies. The country, which had lost heart, and
become supine and almost hostile, revived. The militia again took
the field. Outlying parties of the British were attacked and cut
off, and recruits once more began to come in to the Continental
army. The Revolution was saved. That the English colonies in
North America would have broken away from the mother country
sooner or later cannot be doubted, but that particular Revolution
Of 1776 would have failed within a year, had it not been for
Washington. It is not, however, merely the fact that he was a