A complete history of the Marquis de Lafayette, major-general in the American army in the war of the revolution. Embracing an account of his tour through the United States, to the time of his departure, September, 1825. By an officer in the late army.

MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE. 41
sued. Knowing that more honour was lost than time gained,
in converting a retreat into a flight, he continued his march
in a tranquil and regular order, and passed over at Matson's
Ford without being intercepted by Grant, or sustaining a
greater loss than nine men.-Considerable time was lost by
General Grant, in making a disposition for the expected attack, during which delay, a corps of cavalry, that had formed
the advanced guard on the march, took possession of a hill
between the two roads leading from his position to Lafayette's encampment and to Matson's Ford. From this elevation the troops of Lafayette were first discovered on
their retreat through the low, woody grounds which bordered the river. Information of this circumstance was immediately conveyed to General Grant, and his superior
proximity to Matson's Ford is said to have been urged to
him, and even pointed out, in the strongest manner; but,
under a persuasion that these were only a part of Lafayette's troops, detached for some unaccountable reason, the
general persisted in his resolution of advancing to Barren
Hill, notwithstanding the strong remonstrances of Sir William Erskine against that measure. That post was fortunately concealed from view by intervening trees; otherwise the desertion of it by the Americans would have been
perceived.
The British having advanced to Barren Hill church, and
found the ground lately occupied by Lafayette abandoned,
followed in his rear, and appeared at the ford just after the
Americans had crossed it, as if by enchantment, with all
their artillery. Finding Lafayette' advantageously posted
on the high and broken grounds which arose from the
water's edge on the opposite side of the river, the British
generals perceived that nothing further could be attempted
against him, and returned to Philadelphia without having
effected any thing. " The ladies," says Chastelleux, " did
not see M. De Lafayette, and the generals themselves, arrived too late for supper."
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