Revolutionary services and civil life of General William Hull;

Front matter

LIBRARY

REVOLUTIONARY SERVICES

AND

Preface

IF principle be of any value, its power wil be felt and exhibited in the hour of adversity. Weak is the man, who, after having laid down to himself a rule of virtuous action, is diverted from it, by the frustra tion of his plans and the disappointment of his hopes. But when amidst the painful vicissitudes of life, he keeps his onward course, exhibiting the same can dour, dignity, and strength, which marked him in more prosperous days, we learn the useful lesson, that there is a sustaining power in our nature which, co operating with that from above, gives peace to the soul amidst its severest trials.

Many an individual more highly distinguished than General Hull, has descended to the grave with out a record of his public services or private worth. But the manoeuvering of the Politician will some-4 times fix, with more distinctness and permanency, the laurel on the brow which his hand was raised to de stroy. Had it not been for a persecution as severe as it was unmerited, the zeal, the ability, the faithful ness and the patriotism of General Hull in his country's service, might never have been made public, to sustain him in the hearts of the American people, viji PREFACE.

And so trusting, so satisfied is conscious innocence, in the approbation of a higher Power ; so modest in its claims to notice, that perhaps not even this would have been done, had not children, in the warmth and respect of filial love, urged and claimed the boon.

Political necessity is the plea ever offered for transferring the errors of an administration to an in dividual, however innocent : and the sacred rights of character are thus sacrificed on the altar of popular feeling. If such be the practice of an enlightened, Christian government, who can expect, in the hour of adversity, the justice to which services and virtues are entitled ? Even Washington, with all the high perfection of his character, did not escape, when faction and interest judged his conduct.

The heart sickens, while contemplating suffering, produced, not by the depravity of one man, who would blush to do the deed alone, but from the in sensibility of the many, when acting together. The laws of morality cease then to operate ; and hence, as has ever been the case, individuals have been sac rificed, to shield depraved or imbecile governments.

How different would have been the fate of Ad miral Byng, whose sad history " is the deepest stain on the memory of Chatham, and the deepest dis grace of George II. and his Ministers," had the administration, generously and with moral courage, shielded him from calumny and outrage, under the first burst of a nation's disappointment !

When General Hull left Washington, in 1812, to take the command of the Northwestern Army, he

PREFACE. jx

was assured by the Government, that a naval force would be placed on Lake Erie, to keep open his com munication with his country, and that his army \vould be reinforced, before war was declared. Having ar rived at Urbana, in the State of Ohio, where his army had assembled, he cut a road from that place through the wilderness, for nearly two hun dred miles, and reached the river Miami, seventy-two miles below Detroit. Here he availed himself of the water communication to send on the sick, with his military stores and baggage. By mistake, a trunk containing the papers of General Hull was put on board the same vessel. After she had sailed, Gene ral Hull received a letter, announcing that on the 18th of June war had been declared. Thus fourteen days had passed before he was apprised of a fact so important to the safety of his army, while the British at Fort Maiden had four or five days previously, been possessed of the information. The vessel was cap tured, and the consequent possession of this portion of the papers of General Hull was made the ground on which the charge of treason was predicated.

After the surrender of the fortress of Detroit,, when General Hull was taken a prisoner to Montreal, he judged it best to commit his remaining papers, with other valuable articles, to the care of his daugh ter, Mrs. Hickman, who, with her family, was short ly to take her departure for her paternal residence, in Newton, Massachusetts. The brig Adams, in which they sailed, was an American vessel, but had been captured by the British. The brig arrived in the x PREFACE.

evening near Buffalo, and Mrs. Hickman was put on shore, assured by the captain that her baggage would be sent to her in the morning. In the course of the night, the brig was attacked by our sailors, under the command of Captain Elliott, and in the contest was burnt. By this event, the remaining papers of Gene ral Hull were destroyed.

In the public offices at Washington, there were duplicates of letters and other papers, sent by Gene ral Hull to the different Departments, w7hile Governor of the Michigan Territory. To possess copies of these documents, was necessary to his justification. Previously to his trial, he made application for them- They pointed to the necessity of a naval force on Lake Erie ; and for troops, required for the garrison of Detroit, Michilimackinac, and Chicago, to enable the army to maintain a defensive position, or success fully to carry on an offensive war against the British and Indians. But the exertions of friends, joined to his own efforts to obtain copies of these papers, were unavailing.

When the trial of General Hull closed in 1814, he yet hoped to give to his fellow-citizens a detailed history of the Northwestern Campaign. Anterior to that period, he had published nothing in his defence, persevering in a dignified silence, while constantly assailed in the public prints, with contumely and the grossest falsehoods. So exaggerated was the abuse, that to every reflecting mind, it carried with it the materials for its own refutation. Again and again were his hopes crushed by a failure in procuring

PREFACE. x{

copies of these important documents. Finally, he yielded, without temper and without recrimination, to these last acts of injustice, which the rulers of the nation, at this critical period of their power, consid ered expedient, if not necessary to their safety.

At the expiration of nearly twelve years, the Honourable John C. Calhoun was appointed Secre tary of War. General Hull made one more effort, and on his application to that officer, most of the pa pers, previously applied for, were immediately for warded to him.

As soon as he became possessed of these docu ments, he gave to the public a Memoir of the Cam paign of the Northwestern Army — and in the confi dence of innocence and truth, appealed to his coun trymen for a reversal of a sentence which could be viewed as no less cruel than unjust.*

These Memoirs have been before the public for more than eighteen years, and those of his fellow-citizens who have read them, have risen from their perusal satisfied that the cause of failure in the un successful invasion of Canada, was not to be imputed to the commanding officer, but to an administration that had rushed into war without foresight or prepar ation. Almost every engagement pledged by the Government for the support of their army was violated. General Hull was sent forth with a band of brave, but undisciplined yeomanry, most of whom had seen

* General Hull was sentenced to dent, under the recommendation of be shot, under the charge of cow- the Court Martial, on account of his ardice, but pardoned by the Presi- Revolutionary services.

XJI PREFACE.

no service, to contend with the numerous and welltrained army of Britain, aided by her savage allies? not only unsupported, but deserted by his Govern ment.

But under all these untoward circumstances? General Hull could have sustained his post at Detroit? had not an armistice, now a portion of history, been entered into with the enemy by General Dearborn? to the exclusion of General Hull's army, and without his knowledge. It was this, together with previous neglect on the part of General Dearborn to concen trate troops at Niagara, which enabled General Brock? with an overwhelming force, suddenly to come against and overpower him.

General Dearborn was Commander-in-chief of the American forces. He was stationed on the Ni agara river, two hundred and fifty miles below De troit. His orders were to keep the enemy in cheeky or to act offensively, as occasion might offer, and to co-operate with the army of General Hull.

Instead of obeying these orders, he agreed to a suspension of hostilities with Sir George Prevost, the Commanding General of the King's forces, and stipu lates that it is to the exclusion of General HulVs army ; the very point to be gained by his wily adversary.

The period of five days allowed ample time for the British to ascend the Lake and capture the American forces at Detroit. A ruse de guerre, cred itable to the acuteness of the enemy, but a sad re flection on the military genius of the Commander-iochief of the American army*

PREFACE. xiii

General Hull received no official information of this arrangement between the two hostile armies, until twelve days after it had taken place, and four days after his army had surrendered to General Brock ; from whom he first learned the astounding fact.

Among other papers for which application was made at the seat of Government, General Hull asked for a copy of this fatal armistice ; none was ever furnished, but the fact is recorded, and its disas trous effects on the issue of the campaign can no longer be gainsay ed by the most prejudiced mind.

At the period of the late war, Mr. Jefferson had retired from office, but his pen was still exerted to support the measures of his party, and the Adminis tration of 1812. He was familiar with the character of General Hull, in the military, civil, and social re lations of life ; and he generously testifies to his merit in a letter to Colonel Duane, at the first intelligence of the surrender of the Northwestern Army. He writes :

" The character of General Hull, as an officer of skill and bravery, was established on the trials of the last war, and no previous act of his life had led to doubt his fidelity."* Yet it is not long before we perceive, in another letter, that political necessity obliges this distinguished individual to speak a different language- In a letter to General Dearborn, the negotiator of the armistice, he writes :

* Jefferson's Memoirs, Vol. IV., page 181.

xjv PREFACE.

" After the disasters produced by the treason, or the cowardice, or both, of Hull, and the follies of some others,"* &c., &c.

But his first communication, uninfluenced by the bias of political necessity, and while yielding to the sober dictates of truth, with a full recollection of faithful services, was but a just tribute to a man, on whose public and private life, a steady and unclouded light had rested for forty years, eight years of which period he had served to gain our Independence.

Finally, at the age of sixty-one, General Hull was summoned before a court martial to answer to crimes, of which the thought had never entered his mind. His appointed judges were men high in mili tary rank and titles, but many of whom had obtained that elevation and distinction without having ren dered any service to their country.

In the defence before the court martial, while an imadverting upon the testimony of some of the wit nesses introduced on the part of the prosecution, General Hull says : " It seems extraordinary that there has not been a witness examined on the part of the prosecution, who has not been promoted since he was under my command. A great majority of the young gentlemen, who have been called by the Judge Advocate, have appeared, decorated with their epaulets ; these have been bestowed, and sometimes with the augmentation of a star, upon gentlemen who began their military career with my unfortunate campaign. By what services many of these gentle-

* Jefferson's Memoirs, VoL IV., page 258*

PREFACE. xv

men have merited such rapid promotion, I have not learned. But if it all arises out of their achievements while under my command, I must say, that it appears to me, my expedition was more prolific of promotion, than any other unsuccessful military enterprise I ever heard of."*

Without counsel to speak in his defence, he stood before the court unaided, except by his own vigorous mind and a clear and calm conscience.

In the following narrative of the Revolutionary services of General Hull, there will rarely be found allusion to that act of his life, which was at once his glory and his shame ; — the surrender of the fortress of Detroit to the British arms. It was his glory *, be cause he had " dared to do his duty."f It was his shame, because the epithets of traitor and coward were attached to a name, that had remained untar nished for more than half a century. It had stood the test of temptation, in the dangerous hours of prosperity — in the possession of wealth, and in the acquisition of much honourable distinction, in public and private life. Prosperity did not elate, nor did adversity depress ; the same virtues shone, equally bright, in both estates.

The thirteen years that succeeded his changed fortunes, were spent in the peaceful pursuits of ag riculture ; in the calm of a quiet conscience, in the possession of the affection and respect of virtuous friends ; blessed by the happiest relations of the do-

* General Hull's Trial, page 64. his wife, respecting the surrender f Extract from the first letter to while a prisoner at Montreal.

xvj PREFACE.

mestic fireside, and surrounded by a numerous pro geny of affectionate children and grandchildren, each striving to cheer his declining years, and all cherishing, with filial reverence, the virtues of their patriot sire.

To the latest moment of his life, when aware he was on the verge of eternity, in the full possession of his mental powers, General Hull still breathed his thanks to his Heavenly Father, that he had been the instrument of saving from the cruelties of a savage foe, a people who expected and demanded protection at his hands.*

One generation since that trying hour has grown into manhood and imbibed the poison of falsehood from our school-books, while studying the history of the Northwestern Campaign. Another promising band is now receiving the same distorted views, over which it is hoped truth will sooner or later triumph.

Such are the returns rendered to a soldier of the Revolution, who, through long and trying years of se vere service, aided to secure the sweets of liberty and all its associated advantages of moral and religious education.

To my interesting and beloved young country men, the present work is dedicated ; and when the youthful student learns what the soldier of 1776 per formed, he will more readily be convinced by truth and facts, that he was altogether innocent of the charges of which he was accused in 1812.

* General Hull was the Governor well as Commander of the army at of the Territory of Michigan as this time.

Chapter VI

CRITICAL STATE OF THE COUNTRY. — WASHINGTON'S EFFORTS TO PREVENT THE TROOPS FROM RETURNING TO THEIR HOMES. — PROMOTION OF CAPTAIN HULL. — BATTLE OF PRINCETON 63

CHAPTER VH.

RETREAT OF GENERAL ST. CLAIR FROM TICONDEROGA . . . .72 xviii CONTENTS.

CHAPTER VHI.

GENERAL ARNOLD MARCHES TO THE RELIEF OF FORT STANWIX. — TRIAL OF BUTLER. — RETREAT OF GEN. ST. LEGER. : . 80

CHAPTER IX.

GENERAL SCHTJYLER SUPERSEDED IN COMMAND OF THE NORTHERN ARMY BY GENERAL GATES 87

CHAPTER X.

BURGOYNE'S CAMPAIGN. — BATTLE OF THE NINETEENTH OF SEPTEMBER . 92

CHAPTER XL

BATTLE OF THE SEVENTH OF OCTOBER. — SURRENDER OF THE BRITISH ARMY UNDER BURGOYNE 99

CHAPTER XII.

VALLEY-FORGE. — SUFFERINGS OF THE AMERICAN ARMY . . .112

CHAPTER XIII.

BARON STEUBEN APPOINTED A MAJOR-GENERAL IN THE ARMY. — LAFAYETTE SENT WITH A DETACHMENT TO WATCH THE ENEMY. — HlS ESCAPE FROM THE BRITISH ARMY. — MAJOR HULL IN THE DETACHMENT SENT TO REIN FORCE HIM. — MEETING OF LAFAYETTE AND GENERAL HULL IN 1824 . 126

CHAPTER XIV.

THE BATTLE OF MONMOUTH 133

CHAPTER XV.

MAJOR HULL'S COMMAND ON THE LINES 142

CHAPTER XVI.

CAPTURE OF STONY POINT 155

CHAPTER XVII.

PROMOTION OF MAJOR HULL TO THE RANK OF LIEUTENANT-COLONEL. — HE

IS TRANSFERRED FROM THE ElGHTH TO THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS

REGIMENT. — APPOINTED A COMMISSIONER TO PRESENT a PETITION TO THE LEGISLATURE OF MASSACHUSETTS, FOR THE RELIEF OF THE OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS. — APPOINTED INSPECTOR IN THE ARMY, UNDER BARON STEUBEN .171

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XVIII.

STATE OF THE CURRENCY. — MUTINIES IN THE PENNSYLVANIA AND JERSEY LINES. — EXPEDITION OF LIEUTENANT-COLONEL HULL AGAINST MORRIS- SANIA. — MARRIAGE OF COLONEL HULL • 178

CHAPTER XIX.

COLONEL HULL DESPATCHED BY GENERAL WASHINGTON TO COUNT DE Ro-

CHAMBEAU. — PLAN OF ATTACK ON NEW-YORK AND OTHER POINTS.

CHANGE OF THE SCENE OF OPERATIONS FROM NEW- YORK TO YORK- TOWN. — CAPTURE OF THE ARMY OF CORNWALLIS. — WASHINGTON TAKES

LEAVE OF THE ARMY 199

CHAPTER XX.

DISBANDING OF THE ARMY. — ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SOCIETY OF CINCIN NATI. — MISSION TO QUEBEC 211

CHAPTER XXI.

SHAYS' REBELLION 218

CHAPTER XXII.

THE SPIRIT OF DISAFFECTION CONTINUES. — INSTRUCTIONS TO THE REPRE SENTATIVE OF THE TOWN OF NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS, PREPARED BY

COLONEL HULL , 228

CHAPTER XXIII.

PETITION TO CONGRESS FOR PAY OF OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS OF THE REVOLUTIONARY ARMY 240

CHAPTER XXIV.

INDIAN WAR. — COLONEL HULL APPOINTED A COMMISSIONER TO UPPER CANADA, TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR A TREATY WITH THE INDIANS. — INTERVIEW WITH GOVERNOR SIMCOE 251

CHAPTER XXV.

COLONEL HULL VISITS EUROPE. — ADDRESS TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, JOHN ADAMS, AND HIS ANSWER, IN RELATION TO THE MILITIA OF THE COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX 261

XX

CONTENTS.

I

COLONEL HULL'S CONVERSATION WITH GOVERNOR SIMCOE (IN 1793) RE SPECTING WASHINGTON'S ESCAPE FROM CORNWALLIS AT TRENTON, NEW JERSEY 267

II. Three Letters From The Honourable Horace Binney, Of Philadelphia

TO A DAUGHTER OF GENERAL WlLLIAM HULL. EXTRACT OF A LETTER

FROM AN OFFICER OF DISTINCTION (MAJOR HULL) IN THE NORTHERN ARMY, DATED JULY 17, 1777, TAKEN FROM THE " CONNECTICUT Cou- RANT," HARTFORD, JULY 28, 1777 269

III. Letters To Major Hull, Commanding On The Lines In 1779

. 277

IV

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM MRS. HULL TO ONE OF HER DAUGHTERS, DATED APRIL 12, 1822 284

V. Extracts From A Journal Of Colonel Hull, While Commissioner To

TREAT WITH THE BRITISH AND HOLD TREATIES WITH THE INDIANS IN

1794 . 286

ERRATA,

. 1, for wtl read will. 25, for Housatonnuc read Housatonic. 21, and p. 76, 1. 20, for Thatcher read Thacher. . 5, for close read Clove. 5, for Brunx read Bronx. . 3, for withia read within. 1, for thai read that. 19, for Oanesvoort read Gansevoort. 24, for 17*A read 14«A. 24, for regular times read regulations. 24, after could read not. bottom line, for Note 2d read Note 3d. close, for has at last illuminated read will at last illuminate.

REVOLUTIONARY SERVICES AND CIVIL LIFE

OF

GENERAL WILLIAM HULL.

Chapter I

EARLY LIFE OF WILLIAM HULL. — HE JOINS THE ARMY OF WASHINGTON AT CAMBRIDGE, IN JULY, 1775,

WILLIAM HULL was born at Derby, Connecticut, 24th June, 1753. His great-grandfather, Joseph Hull, emigrated from Derbyshire, England, and set tled in Derby, Connecticut. His grandfather, Joseph Hull, survived his father but a few years.

Joseph Hull, the father of the subject of these Memoirs, while following the agricultural pursuits of his ancestors, was likewise engaged in the councils of his country.

He was elected a member of the State Legisla ture for many successive years. His immediate de scendants, consisted of six sons and two daughters. Joseph was the eldest. In early life, he engaged in 2 the West India trade. At the commencement of the war of the Revolution, he received the appointment of Lieutenant of Artillery, and was made prisoner at the capture of Fort Washington, on York Island, in 1776.

In defence of this Fortress, he is reputed to have behaved with great gallantry. He remained in cap tivity two years. At length he was exchanged, and his unbroken spirit was once more given to the ser vice of his country.

Shortly after, he was appointed to the command of some boats on Long Island Sound, formerly used in the whale fishery, but now fitted out to annoy the enemy, as opportunity might offer. In this limited but dangerous sphere of action, he gave earnest of a mind and spirit, which under other circumstances would probably have developed more important results.

On one occasion, a British armed schooner was lying in the Sound. She was engaged in transport ing provisions from the country to New- York, where the British army was then stationed. Lieutenant Hull proposed to some of his companions of the town of Derby to go out and capture the schooner.

Derby stands on the Housatonnuc river, about twelve miles from its entrance into the Sound. On the evening appointed, twenty men, placing them selves under the command of Lieutenant Hull, em barked in a large boat, similar to those used in carry ing wood to the city of New-York. The men lay concealed in the bottom of the boat ; and the dusk of the evening favouring the deception, it had the appearance of being loaded with wood. As they ap proached the vessel, the sentinel on deck hailed them.

Lieutenant Hull, who was steering, answered the call, but continuing his course, came quite near the vessel, without exciting suspicion, when, by a sudden movement, he drew close along side of her. His men, well armed, sprang to her deck. The com mander of the schooner was sleeping below, arid aroused by the firing of the sentinel, he made an at tempt to gain the deck, but was instantly shot dead.

The Americans immediately fastened down the hatches, took possession of the vessel, and carried her in triumph up to the town.

This gallant soldier was the father of Commo dore Hull, who, by his coolness and intrepidity, was the first to give to America the knowledge of her naval superiority, as exhibited in his celebrated escape from a British squadron and afterwards by his victory over the " Guerrier."

Samuel Hull served as a Lieutenant a part of the war, and was reputed a brave man. Isaac passed his life in agricultural pursuits. Levi died young. Elizabeth married a respectable farmer, and settled in Vermont. Sarah married in Derby, and soon after died. David was too young at the period of the war, to be enrolled with his brothers, in the service of his country. He graduated at Yale College, and be came a distinguished physician, in Fairfield, Connec ticut, where he settled and died. He married the daughter of Andrew Elliott, D. D., of Boston. Doc tor Hull passed his life in extensive professional use fulness, respected and beloved by a large circle of his fellow-citizens. He died, a faithful disciple of his Saviour, in the spring of 1834.

William, the fourth son, and the subject of this Memoir, was sent at an early period to reside with his grandfather Hull. He attended a New England school, and wras instructed in the common branches of English education. Residing on a farm, he work ed daily in the fields, and here he acquired that taste for agricultural pursuits, which was his solace, when the dark and heavy clouds of adversity gathered thick ly around the gray hairs of declining years. In this employment he strengthened a naturally good con stitution, which secured the enjoyment of uninterrupt ed health. It may here be remarked, that a vigor ous body and sound mind are often united through a long life, when the early years of childhood are given to active and healthful employments, and the mind is not hurried into premature cultivation.

It being decided that William should receive a liberal education, his father sent for him to return home. His grandfather remonstrated, for he could not sympathize with the more enlarged views of an other generation. He loved the affectionate and industrious boy, and his old heart grieved to part with him. " Billy," he said, " is a pure boy to work : it is a shame to take him to College."

But the young plough-boy soon proved that he had mental as well as physical strength. He studied with the Rev. Mr. Leavensworth, a highly respected divine, and entered Yale College at the age of fifteen years. At the expiration of four years, he graduated with honour. The English oration was assigned him at Commencement, and his College life, as well as his performance on this occasion, gave satisfaction to his friends and all who were interested in his youthful career, now opening with such fair promise.

His first occupation after leaving College was the charge of a school. He has often been heard to say, that " this was among the happiest years of his life." But his parents anxiously desired that he should be come a clergyman. Without the fixed bias for this profession, which he deemed essential, he commenced the study of Divinity, rather from motives of filial affection, than from a conviction of religious duty. He studied for a year with Dr. Wates, subsequently Professor of Theology in Yale College. But he was too deeply impressed with the sacred trust devolving on a minister of the gospel, to assume its responsi bilities without a single eye to the glory of God, and a distinct call from the Holy Spirit. He therefore withdrew from these studies, though with reluctance, inasmuch as he disappointed the hopes his parents had cherished in reference to the clerical profession. After this decision, he attached himself to the cele brated Law School in Litchfield, Connecticut, and was admitted to the bar in 1775.

The war with Great Britain was now the subject of universal interest, and with others of his country men did the young barrister sympathize in views and feelings, which soon gave a new direction to his mind. But he maintained a reserve in regard to his inclinations, which he foresaw would soon ripen into action.

His father returned one evening from a meeting of the citizens of Derby. He said to his son, " Who do you suppose has been elected Captain of the company raised in this town ?" He named several. His father replied, " It is yourself." He hesitated not in accepting the appointment, so unexpectedly of fered by his townsmen ; and prepared himself to join the regiment of Colonel Webb, then being raised by the State. At this interesting moment, his father was seized with a severe illness, which soon termi nated his useful life.

By his will, the property, respectable for the times, was bequeathed to his widow and children. William refused to receive any part of it. He said, " I want only my sword and my uniform." With a full, but resolute heart, he left his peaceful home, and his afflicted family, to give his services to his country, then contending for rights which neither remonstrance nor patience, but force only could obtain. His com pany immediately joined the regiment which marched to Cambridge, the head-quarters of General Wash ington.

The first incident recorded by Captain Hull, on his arrival in camp, is a striking illustration of the deficiency of military order, discipline and etiquette, with which Washington had to contend throughout the war. A body of the enemy landed at Lechmere's

Point, on the main land. It was expected an attack would be made on the American lines. The alarm was given, and the troops ordered to their respective stations. When the regiment of Col. Webb was formed for action, the captains and subalterns ap peared, dressed in long cloth frocks, with kerchiefs tied about their heads. Captain Hull was the only man in uniform. The officers inquired " why he came out in full dress ; — that the regiment was going into action, and that he would be a mark for the ene my's fire." He replied, " that he thought the uni form of an officer was designed to aid his influence and increase his authority over his men — and if ever important in these points, it was more particularly so in the hour of battle." They referred to their expe rience, remarking that " in the French war it was not customary, and they had never worn it." Captain Hull yielded to age and experience, sent his servant for a frock and kerchief, and dressed himself after the fashion of his companions. His company was in advance of the British lines. While at this station, General Washington and suite, in the course of re viewing the troops, stopped at the redoubt and asked "what officer commanded there." " With feelings of inexpressible mortification," says General Hull, " I came forward in my savage costume, and reported that Captain Hull had the honour of commanding the redoubt." As soon as General Washington passed on, Captain Hull availed himself of the first moment to despatch his servant with all possible speed to bring him his uniform. As he put it on, he quiet-

Jy resolved, never more to subscribe to the opinions of men, however loyal and brave in their country's service, whose views were so little in unison with his own. After the troops had waited four or five hours in expectation of an attack, the enemy returned to his encampment, having no other object in making the descent than to procure provisions.