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. 43
to the enemy; who, moreover, had positive intelligence
that these militia did not occupy the post assigned to them..
The "position he had taken at Barren Hill was almost impracticable in front and flank, and, warned by the monotorial voice of WTashington, he had taken every possible precaution to secure it. A corps of observation was posted
six or eight miles in advance, to watch the movements of
the enemy, who practised every means to elude the vigilance of Captain M'Lane, but without success. The manner in which the young Frenchman outmanceuvred the
experienced generals of Britain, and extricated hinmself
frtom almost inevitable destruction in the face of seven
thousand British regulars, produced a lively sensation of
admiration throughout the army; and his conduct was for
ever and triumphantly vindicated by the words of Washillgton, who applauded his "well timed and masltrly retreat.'
During the advance of the British on this occasion, a
laughable incident occurred, which, after the lapse of more
than forty-six years, has been revived among the reminiscenc.~s which attended the affecting meeting of Lafayette with
the venerable Colonel Willet of New-York. In the spring
of 1778, the marquis sent to the latter officer, then stationed on the frontiers, for fifty young Indian warriors. These
savages accompanied him to Barren Hill, and were placed in
ambuscade, after their fashion, in the woods. Fifty English
dragoons, who had never seen any Indians, marching at the
l-had of a column, entered the wood where the savages were
concealed, who on their part had never seen dragoons.
Starting suddenly up, they raised a horrible yell, threw down
their arms, and escaped by swimming across the Schuylkill
The dragoons, on the other hand, equally astounded and
terrified, turned about their horses, and did not recover their
panic till they lad got back to Philadelphia.`
* For accounts of the retreat from Barren Hill, vide Marshall's Wash.
vol. iii. chap. viii. Stedman's Amner. War, vol. i. p. 420. Botta's WNrar