his visit to Boston was looked upon with uneasiness by the British officers, who knew his adventurous character. It was surmised with some truth that he was exciting a spirit of revolt, with a view to putting himself at its head.

The semi-belligerent state of affairs in Massachusetts produced a general restlessness throughout the land. Military measures, hitherto confined to New England, extended to the middle and southern provinces, and the roll of the drum resounded through the villages. Virginia was among the first to buckle on its armor. It had long been a custom among its inhabitants to form themselves into independent companies, equipped at their own expense, having their own peculiar uniform, and electing their own officers, though holding themselves subject to militia law. They had hitherto been self-disciplined; but now they continually resorted to Washington for instruction and advice; considering him the highest authority on military affairs. Mount Vernon, therefore, again assumed a military tone as in former days, when he took his first lessons in the art of war. Two occasional and important guests in this momentous crisis were General Charles Lee and Major Horatio Gates. The latter was the son of a captain in the British army. He had received a liberal education, and had served in the campaign of Braddock, and afterwards in the West Indies. Being dispatched to London with tidings of the victory at Martinico, he was rewarded by the appointment of major. His promotion did not equal his fancied deserts. He wanted something more lucrative; so he sold out on half-pay and became an applicant for some profitable post under the government, which he hoped to obtain through the influence of some friends in the aristocracy. Thus several years were passed, partly with his family in retirement, partly in London, paying court to patrons and men in power, until finding there was no likelihood of success, and having sold his commission and half-pay, he emigrated to Virginia in 1772, a disappointed man; purchased an estate in Berkeley County, beyond the Blue Ridge; espoused the popular cause, and renewed his old campaigning acquaintance with Washington. He was now about forty-six years of age, of a florid complexion and

goodly presence, though a little inclined to corpulency; social and insinuating in his manners, with a strong degree of self-approbation. A long course of solicitation, haunting public offices and ante-chambers, and "knocking about town," had taught him, it is said, how to wheedle and flatter, and accommodate himself to the humors of others, so as to be the boon companion of gentlemen, and "hail-fellow well met" with the vulgar.

Lee, who was an old friend and former associate in arms, had recently been induced by him to purchase an estate in his neighborhood in Berkeley County, with a view to making it his abode, having a moderate competency, a claim to land on the Ohio, and the half-pay of a British colonel. Both of these officers, disappointed in the British service, looked forward, probably, to greater success in the patriot cause. Lee had been at Philadelphia since his visit to Boston, and had made himself acquainted with the leading members of Congress during the session. He was evidently cultivating an intimacy with every one likely to have influence in the approaching struggle.

To Washington the visits of these gentlemen were extremely welcome at this juncture, from their military knowledge and experience, especially as much of it had been acquired in America, in the same kind of warfare in which he himself had mingled.

It is doubtful whether the visits of Lee were as interesting to Mrs. Washington as to the general. He was whimsical, eccentric, and at times rude; negligent also, and slovenly in person and attire; for though he had occasionally associated with kings and princes, he had also campaigned with Mohawks and Cossacks, and seems to have relished their "good breeding." What was still more annoying in a well regulated mansion, he was always followed by a legion of dogs, which shared his affections with his horses, and took their seats by him when at table. "I must have some object to embrace," said he, misanthropically. "When I can be convinced that men are as worthy objects as dogs, I shall transfer my benevolence, and become as staunch a philanthropist as the canting Addison affected to be."

In the month of March the second Virginia convention was

held at Richmond. Washington attended as delegate from Fairfax County. In this assembly, Patrick Henry, with his usual ardor and eloquence, advocated measures for arming and disciplining a militia force, and providing for the defence of the colony. "It is useless," said he, "to address further petitions to government, or to await the effect of those already addressed to the throne. The time for supplication is past; the time for action is at hand. We must fight, Mr. Speaker," exclaimed he, emphatically; "I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms, and to the God of Hosts, is all that is left us!" Washington joined him in the conviction, and was one of a committee that reported a plan for carrying those measures into effect. "It is my full intention, if needful," writes he to his brother, "to devote my life and fortune to the cause."

§ 4. PRELIMINARY CAMPAIGNS OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR.

Lexington. While the spirit of revolt was daily gaining strength and determination in America, a strange infatuation reigned in the British councils. While the wisdom and eloquence of Chatham were exerted in vain in behalf of American rights, an empty braggadocio, elevated to a seat in Parliament, was able to captivate the attention of the members, and influence their votes by gross misrepresentations of the Americans and their cause. This was

no other than Colonel Grant, the same shallow soldier who had been guilty of a foolhardy bravado before the walls of Fort Duquesne, which brought slaughter and defeat upon his troops. He entertained Parliament with ludicrous stories of the cowardice of Americans. He had served with them, he said, and knew them well, and would venture to say they would never dare to face an English army. With five regiments, he could march through all America! The councils of the arrogant and scornful prevailed; and instead of Chatham's proposed bill, further measures of a stringent nature were adopted, ruinous to the trade and fisheries of New England.

At length the bolt, so long suspended, fell! The troops at

Boston had been augmented to about four thousand men. Alarmed by the energetic measures of the whigs, General Gage now resolved to surprise and destroy their magazine of military stores at Concord, about twenty miles from Boston. Preparations were made with great secrecy. On the 18th of April officers were stationed on the roads leading from Boston, to prevent any intelligence of the expedition getting into the country. At night orders were issued by General Gage that no person should leave the town. About ten o'clock, from eight to nine hundred men, commanded by Lieutenant-colonel Smith, embarked in boats at the foot of Boston Common, and crossed to Lechmere Point, in Cambridge, whence they were to march silently to the place of destination.

The measures of General Gage had not been shrouded in all the secrecy he imagined. Dr. Joseph Warren, one of the committee of safety, had observed the preparatory disposition of the boats and troops, and surmised some sinister intention. A design on the magazine at Concord was suspected, and the committee of safety ordered that the cannon collected there should be secreted, and the stores removed. On the night of the 18th, Dr. Warren sent off two messengers by different routes to give the alarm that the king's troops were actually sallying forth. In the meantime Colonel Smith set out on his nocturnal march by an unfrequented path across marshes, where at times the troops had to wade through water. He had proceeded but a few miles when alarm guns, and the clang of village bells, showed that the news of his approach was travelling before him. He now sent back to General Gage for a reinforcement, while Major Pitcairn was detached with six companies to press forward, and secure the bridges at Concord. Pitcairn advanced rapidly, capturing every one he met or overtook. By the time he entered the village of Lexington, about seventy of the yeomanry, in military array, were mustered on the green near the church. Pitcairn halted his men within a short distance and ordered them to prime and load. The major, riding forward, waved his sword, and ordered the rebels, as he termed them, to disperse. The orders were disregarded. A scene of con

fusion ensued, with firing on both sides; eight of the patriots were killed, and ten wounded, and the whole put to flight. Colonel Smith soon arrived with the residue of the detachment, and they all marched on towards Concord. About seven o'clock, they entered that village in two divisions by different roads. Concord is traversed by a river of the same name, having two bridges, the north and the south. The grenadiers took post in the centre of the town, while strong parties of light troops were detached to secure the bridges and destroy the military stores. Two hours were expended in the work of destruction without much success, so much of the stores having been removed or concealed. During all this time the yeomanry from the neighboring towns were hurrying in with such weapons as were at hand. About ten o'clock, a body of three hundred undertook to dislodge the British from the north bridge. As they approached, the latter fired upon them, killing two, and wounding a third. The patriots returned the fire with spirit and effect. The British retreated to the main body, the Americans pursuing them across the bridge.

About noon Colonel Smith commenced his retrograde march for Boston. It was high time. His troops were jaded by the night march, and the morning's toils and skirmishings. Along the open road, they were now harassed incessantly by rustic marksmen, who took deliberate aim from behind trees, or over stone fences. Where the road passed through woods, the British found themselves between two fires, dealt by unseen foes, the minute men having posted themselves on each side among the bushes. It was in vain they threw out flankers, and endeavored to dislodge their assailants; each pause gave time for other pursuers to come within reach, and open attacks from different quarters. For several miles they urged their way along woody defiles, or roads skirted with fences and stone walls, the retreat growing more and more disastrous. Before reaching Lexington, Colonel Smith received a severe wound in the leg, and the situation of the retreating troops was becoming extremely critical, when, about two o'clock, they were met by Lord Percy, with a brigade of one thousand men, and two field-pieces. His lordship had been detached from Boston