which each one supplied some regiments; the soldiers were either
engaged for the war or for three years, which improper alternative was
occasioned by republican jealousy. These regular troops had military
regulations, a severe discipline, and the officers of each state vied
with each other for promotion. Gates, placed in an entrenched
position, in the centre of woods, on the road to Albany, and with the
North river on his right, had assembled sixteen thousand men; and this
invasion of the enemy, by threatening New England, had served as an
instant summons to the brave militia. They had already proved their
strength at Bennington, where Stark had surrounded and destroyed a
detachment belonging to Burgoyne. The enemy, having arrived within
three miles of Gates, and not being able to make a circuit round him
without abandoning their cannon and military accoutrements, attempted
twice to force him; but they had scarcely commenced their march when
Arnold fell upon them with his division, and in those woods, lined
with sharpshooters, it was only possible for them to reach the
entrenchments. Arnold had his leg broken at the second affair;
Lincoln, the other major-general, was wounded also. Four thousand men,
who embarked at New York, had, it is true, ascended the Hudson. Whilst
Vaughan was needlessly burning Esopus, Clinton had taken all the forts
that defended the river. They were but little annoyed by Putnam, who,
in the first breaking out of the troubles, had thrown aside his plough
to bear to the army far more zeal than talent. But still that
diversion was too weak; and by a note which a spy who had been taken
swallowed, but which was recovered by an emetic, it was seen that
Clinton was aware of his own weakness. Burgoyne, abandoned by the
savages, regretting his best soldiers, and Frazer, his best general,
reduced to five thousand men, who were in want of provisions, wished
to retreat; but it was then too late: his communications were no
longer open; and it was at Saratoga, some miles in the rear of his