CHAPTER XVIII.
PREPARING FOR ACTION.
When Enoch presented himself at headquarters the sentry saluted andstood aside for him to pass into the tent, and perhaps for the firsttime since he had been attached to General Washington's staff, howeverinformally, he felt a certain sense of pride at being thus received.
When Enoch entered he found General Washington and several of hisofficers discussing the probable intentions of the enemy.
"There can be no question, gentlemen, but that he intended to passthrough New Brunswick, as was indicated by the fact that on themorning of the evacuation the parole was 'Jersey,' and the countersign'Brunswick.' It is, in my opinion, evident that our movements havecaused him to change his intended route, or it may be that thenecessarily slow advance of such an immense train, where bridges andcauseways must be built over streams and marshes, induces GeneralClinton to believe it would be dangerous to make further effort towardcarrying out his intentions. I regret that you have decided against thehazard of a general engagement."
"If your excellency pleases, I would like to state why I am opposed toany interference at present with the enemy," an officer who was seatednear Washington said courteously.
"I think, General Lee, you have already defined your position plainly,"the commander-in-chief replied. "You believe the enemy is still toostrong for us; that his troops are so far superior to ours that eventhough we outnumber him, we have no right to engage."
"I believe, sir, that continued annoyance of the enemy by detachmentsis our proper course, and my belief is shared by at least six generalofficers."
"Very true, sir. And in favor of a battle there are only GeneralsGreene, Wayne, Lafayette and myself. It is known that General Morganhas gained the rear of the British right flank, and Maxwell is willingto put in on their left. I propose, therefore, to add to that forcefifteen hundred picked men under General Charles Scott, and onethousand under Wayne; the combined force to be in the command ofGeneral Lafayette."
It was as if Washington had not observed Enoch's entrance until thismoment.
Turning to the boy, he said:
"You will ride with all speed to such point as it will be possibleto communicate with Generals Maxwell and Dickinson. Show them thismemoranda, and say I expect they will make most active interferencewith the enemy. You will have seen both these generals by morning,and are to return at once to Kingston on the Millstone River, where weshall bivouac. Commit to memory the lines here written, and should yoube in the least danger of capture, destroy this paper immediately. Wereyou detained by the enemy after leaving General Dickinson?"
"The general sent my two friends with me on a scout near Mount Holly,and we were made prisoners by a Tory whose name I understand isPlummer. We succeeded in escaping within twenty-four hours, but whenI left General Dickinson I understood I was to go directly to ValleyForge, therefore was delayed."
General Lee questioned Enoch sharply as to his adventures in the houseof the Tory, and the boy, remembering what had been told him regardingthat officer, fancied he was better acquainted with Plummer than hewould have it appear.
On leaving headquarters Enoch went directly to where he last sawGreene, and since nothing had been said relative to keeping hisproposed movements a secret, told the spy what he had been orderedto do, mentioning also General Lee's evident interest in the Tory whowould have made prisoners of the scouts.
"There is no question in my mind but that Lee is better acquaintedand more in sympathy with people of Plummer's class than with thosewho are friends to the cause, and I predict General Washington will beconvinced, before many days have passed, that the officer next in rankto him is not as good an American as he should be."
Enoch waited only long enough to inquire regarding the most directroads, and then, with such rations in his pocket as Greene thoughtnecessary, he began the journey.
Acting under the spy's advice he rode directly to Trenton, andfrom there, after making inquiries, continued on toward Allentown,overtaking General Dickinson's command at nightfall.
On this occasion he had no opportunity for an interview with eitherJacob or Seth.
He saw the latter as he rode up; but there was no time to speak withhim, since his first duty was to deliver the message, and when that hadbeen done he learned it was necessary to continue on four miles furtherin order to find General Maxwell.
It was nightfall when he gained an interview with this last-namedofficer, and half an hour later was dismissed with orders to remain incamp until morning.
Had he followed his own inclinations he would have returned to spendthe night with his comrades; but the instructions were positive, and heunderstood that personal desires were not to be considered under suchcircumstances.
During the short evening spent in this camp he learned that GeneralClinton had turned to the right on the road leading to Monmouth CourtHouse,[G] and it was believed among the men that his intentions wereto march to Sandy Hook, from which point he could embark his troops forNew York.
"The Britishers will find themselves in a hornets' nest when they getinto Monmouth County," one of the elder soldiers said to Enoch, aftertelling him of the evident change of route. "Devil David, as theycall General Forman, is in that section of the country, and Sir HenryClinton will learn that he well deserves his name."
"Do you think we shall have a battle there?"
"I hope it'll come somewhere near, although I can't say that sectionof the country is the best in the world for our purpose. If GeneralWashington strikes a blow now, we shall give the Britishers a lesson,don't you fear. But he never will do it if Lee can persuade him to thecontrary, for I hold that man to be a Britisher at heart, who does allhe can to avoid inflicting punishment on the king's men."
Then the soldier told Enoch how the New Jersey troops had been employedduring the past three days, harassing the enemy on their march, andwhen his recital was finished the young aid sought such rest as couldbe obtained on the bare ground under the shelter of the pine trees.
On the following morning General Maxwell gave Enoch a written messageto be delivered to the commander-in-chief, as he said:
"You had better read it, lad, in order to be able to repeat thesubstance in case it is taken from you. You will proceed at once toGeneral Dickinson; show him what I have written, and ask if he hasanything to add. Then go without delay to the main army. I understandthey will be at Kingston to-morrow, therefore you will have ample timeto reach them."
As Enoch rode slowly toward where he had last seen General Dickinson'sforces he had good opportunity to read the message he was to carry,and thus learned that it was simply a detailed account of what had beendone by the New Jersey troops since Clinton left Mount Holly.
The soldier with whom he talked on the previous night had told him thesame thing in substance, and he had no question but that he should beable to repeat the more important portions of it in case the documentwas lost.
General Dickinson's force was on the march when he rode up, and hisinterview with that officer was brief.
"There is nothing I wish to add to General Maxwell's report, and youmay turn back at once."
Enoch obeyed, riding directly past Jacob and Seth, but not daring todraw rein.
"Where are you bound for?" Jacob shouted, and he replied with a singleword:
"Kingston."
"Is General Washington there?" some one in the ranks cried, and Enochreplied:
"He will be to-morrow."
Then a hearty cheer went up from the men, for they now knew thecommander-in-chief was moving nearer the enemy, and all understood thisas indicating that a general engagement would follow.
There was little need for such a precaution as reading GeneralMaxwell's message.
The young aid was not molested on his journey, and on the night of the24th applied for lodgings at a dwelling in Kingston, believing it wouldbe wiser to remain there until General Washington should come up, thanpush on with the chances of missing the command on the road.
/>
It was at the house of an ardent patriot, who was serving in theContinental army, that Enoch slept, and after the sun rose next morninghe had not long to wait before delivering the message.
"You will accompany us on the march, my boy," General Washington saidas he glanced hurriedly over the report, and Enoch, thus dismissed,fell back to the rear until he found Greene.
"It begins to look as if we shouldn't miss a general engagement, lad,"the spy said gleefully, "though I don't doubt Lee will do all he can toprevent it. Are you at liberty to tell me anything?"
"I know very little myself, except that the Britishers are said to beon the road to Sandy Hook."
"Then we shall come up with them for certain. Devil David won't allowClinton to march through Monmouth County unmolested."
"But how can General Lee prevent an engagement, if thecommander-in-chief desires one?" Enoch asked.
"In the first place he's second in command, and his opinion should havemore weight than that of the others. Last night a thousand men underGeneral Wayne were detailed to join the advance corps now in commandof Lafayette, which gives him four thousand picked soldiers. It seemsthat Lee, who by right should have command of that division, beingopposed to a general engagement, allowed the Marquis de Lafayette totake his place, and, as we all know, the Frenchman believes in tacklingthe enemy without delay. Now it seems, as I have heard, that Lee haschanged his mind suddenly, and asks to be reinstated, which of coursecan't be done with justice to the marquis; but, to keep things movingsmoothly, General Washington has given Lee command of two brigades,with orders to join Lafayette, and there, as you can imagine, his rankwill entitle him to supreme command. I doubt not but that you will seethe marquis soon."
"Why?"
"In my opinion the commander-in-chief must give Lafayette some reasonfor allowing Lee to join him, after all that has been said and done,and I reckon you are the aid who can best be spared just now. What havethe New Jersey troops been doing?"
While Enoch was detailing to his friend that which he had learned fromthe soldier during the night he spent with General Maxwell's forces,an orderly rode back, inquiring for the boy who had just come from thefront, and when the young aid presented himself, announced that thecommander-in-chief wished to see him.
"Is your horse fresh?" General Washington asked when Enoch rode up.
"Yes, sir."
"Then you will take this letter to the Marquis de Lafayette, who is,or will be by the time you arrive, at Cranberry. This is purely apersonal matter, and you will present the letter without ostentation.Be discreet during the journey, for although I do not anticipate yourmeeting the enemy between here and that point, it is not impossiblethere may be scouting parties out."
There was apparently no reason why Enoch should return to where he hadleft his friend Greene, and he set off without delay, riding during theremainder of the day, and at nightfall was standing in front of GeneralLafayette's quarters--a dilapidated house on the easterly side of thesmall settlement of Cranberry.
Asking for an interview on the plea of important business, and takinggood care not to mention the fact that he was a messenger from thecommander-in-chief, Enoch was admitted at a time when the marquiswas alone, and, therefore, had no difficulty in giving him the letterprivately.
The marquis read it carefully, appeared alternately surprised anddisappointed, and finally asked:
"Are you on General Washington's staff, my boy?"
"His excellency was so kind as to say that I should consider myself inthat position; but it was only done, when I brought the news of theevacuation, in order that I might have no trouble in getting rationsfor myself and horse."
"It seems that you still occupy that position?"
"Yes, sir, and the reason, I suppose, is that my services are required;but I am not really an aid."
"You come very nearly being so, it would seem. What were you ordered todo after delivering this letter."
"There were no orders given, sir."
"Then you will remain here in case I should have occasion tocommunicate with his excellency. You will mess with my staff."
"Would you have any objections, sir, to my finding a place among thesoldiers?"
"For what reason?"
"I shall feel more at home there, sir, for it is really where I belong;but the horse I have ridden should be----"
"He shall be cared for by my servants. Turn him over to them, and do asyou choose, so far as your personal comforts are concerned."
As one who had just come from the main army Enoch was welcomed by themen, and had no difficulty in finding quarters for the night.
On the following morning the heat was most intense.
The scouts, who brought in the report that the British had haltedat Monmouth Court House, complained bitterly of the sufferings to beendured on the sandy roads under the sun's fervent rays, and but littlewas done by the advance division of the Continental army.
On this evening the clouds gathered, but the intense heat was notabated, and it seemed absolutely impossible the men could move fromtheir posts.
Enoch remained in camp during the day and night, suffering severelyfrom the sultriness of the air, and wondering whether it would bepossible for men to fight under that glaring sun, even though the enemyshould give them every opportunity.
On the morning of the 27th the welcome rain began to fall, but the campwas astir early, Enoch remaining near General Lafayette, expecting eachmoment to receive orders to return to the main army. Instead of that,however, the troops moved forward, he following as a matter of course,and no halt was made until they bivouacked at Englishtown, a smallsettlement about five miles west of Monmouth Court House.
At noon word was brought in that Clinton had changed the disposition ofhis line, placing the baggage train in front, under command of GeneralKnyphausen, and the grenadiers, light infantry, and chasseurs of theline (his best troops) in the rear.
He was encamped in a strong position, secured on nearly every side bymarshy grounds and heavy woods. His line extended on the right abouthalf a mile beyond the courthouse to the parting of the road leading toShrewsbury and Middleton, and on the left along the road from Monmouthand Allenton, about three miles.
Hardly had this information been brought when General Lee with twobrigades joined Lafayette, and the word was passed around the camp thatthe officer whom all believed to be a traitor to the cause had assumedcommand of the entire division, now amounting to about five thousandmen.
Almost immediately after this arrival Enoch received his long-expectedorders.
He was summoned by Lafayette and charged to ride back on the roadat full speed to acquaint General Washington with the facts of thesituation, which were plainly detailed to him by the marquis himself.
The journey was destined to be a short one, for when he had riddenthree miles Enoch found the main army encamping, and made his report tothe commander-in-chief while that officer sat upon his horse, observingwith interest the movements of his men.
"You will report to me at sunset," the general said curtly when Enochceased speaking, and the latter rode away to find Greene.
"We're close up to them, lad," the spy cried joyfully as the young aiddismounted and began to care for his horse. "We're close up to them,and it won't be many hours before we shall have a fair chance to showwhat Continental soldiers can do when the odds are somewhere near even.This rain is a Godsend, for if it hadn't come I doubt whether it wouldbe possible for men to march in such heat."
"But could a battle be fought while it is so hot?"
"You'll find, lad, that nothing short of a heavy rain will stopanything of that kind. When men set out to kill each other, the weathermakes little difference, unless it is such as spoils the powder. Whereare the Britishers by this time?"
"At Monmouth Court House, so the report is, and prepared for battle."
"I allow, then, they're in about the same condition we are, and thegeneral officers who argued against engagements must now hold theirto
ngues or set themselves down as cowards. The only thing that's givingme worry is the fact that Lee is in advance."
"And has assumed command of the division," Enoch added.
"That was to be expected, and if he has his way the Britishers willkeep on to the coast unmolested; but I'll allow he won't dare be verybold in trying to hold us back. What orders have you for the rest ofthe day?"
"I am to report at headquarters at sunset."
"Good, lad, good!" Greene exclaimed, clapping him vigorously on theshoulder. "Do you know what that means?"
"I suppose it is because I am needed."
"Yes, lad, you're right; but you're to be needed because thecommander-in-chief believes the time for the battle is near at hand.When you are ordered off again, it'll be to carry word for somedivision to make a decided advance. That I predict, and you'll find I'mnot far out of the way. Leave me to take care of your horse, and I'llsee he's ready for service whenever you need him."
"If you are right, then I'm not to go into battle as a soldier."
"But you're to be there just the same, lad, and what's more, have abetter chance of seeing and knowing all that's going on than the restof us. Don't fret because you won't have a musket in your hands. Theman in the ranks knows precious little of what's being done, exceptdirectly in front of him. I'd give a full year of my life if I could bein your place during the next forty-eight hours."
"I wish you might be there, and I could join Seth and Enoch."
"Never you mind them; they'll give a good account of themselves, I'llwarrant. Now that Master Ludwick has got over his disappointment at notreceiving a commission when he wasn't fit even to be a private, he'llfight as gallantly as an older man. The rest of us must lay still tillthe time for action comes; but you have the advantage of knowing allthat's being done, and if you can pass me a word at any time, lad, whensome decisive movement is to be made, I wish you would."
It seemed as if Greene never could tire of discussing the situation,and the probable outcome of a general engagement.
While Enoch would have been pleased to converse on some other subject,the spy continued his predictions for the future until the day wasspent, and the setting sun warned the young aid that it was time toreport for duty.
"I must go now," he said, interrupting Greene in his explanation of howthe engagement would begin and how end.
"So you must, lad, and I've been babbling here like an old man, on amatter regarding which I knew very little, when it comes to facts. Takecare of yourself--I'm not afraid but that you'll be brave enough; theonly danger is you'll be foolhardy--and remember to keep me posted ifit so be you can without betraying confidence."
Then Enoch, assuring himself his horse was well cared for, went towardGeneral Washington's quarters.
Footnote:
[G] Now Freehold.