The slight success of Gloucester gratified the army, and especially
the militia. The congress resolved, that "it would be extremely
agreeable to them to see the Marquis de Lafayette at the head of a
division."~[24] He quitted, therefore, his situation of volunteer, and
succeeded Stephen in the command of the Virginians. The junction of
Cornwallis having been the work of some hours, and that of Greene
requiring several marches, it is difficult to imagine why Howe gave
him time to arrive, and only proceeded with his army on the 5th of
December to Chesnut Hill, three miles from Whitemarsh. After having
felt his way with the right wing, of which he stood in some awe, he
threatened to attack the extreme left; and that wing, following his
own movements, stationed itself on the declivity of the heights. Some
shots were exchanged betwixt the English light horsemen and the
American riflemen, very skilful carabineers, who inhabit the frontiers
of the savage tribes. Not being able to attack that position, and not
wishing to make the circuit of it, Howe returned, on the fourth day,
to Philadelphia. In spite of the northern reinforcements, the
Americans were reduced to nine thousand, and the advanced season
diminished their numbers rapidly. The protection of the country had
cost the army dear. The 15th of December they marched toward Swedes'
Ford, where Lord Cornwallis was accidentally foraging on the other
side of the river. M. de Lafayette, being upon duty, was examining a
position, when his escort and the enemy fired upon each other. The
uncertainty being mutual, Lord Cornwallis and General Washington
suspended their march; the former having retired during the night, the
army crossed over the Schuylkill, and entrenched itself in the station
of Valley-Forge, twenty-two miles from Philadelphia. Having skillfully
erected there, in a few days, a city of wooden huts the army
established itself in its melancholy winter quarters. A small corps