The writings of George Washington; being his correspondence, addresses, messages, and other papers, official and private, selected and published from the original manuscripts; with a life of the author, notes and illustrations. By Jared Sparks.

AET. 46.] LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 299
right and left, while the artillery should gall them in
front. Before these movements could be effected, night
came on and put an end to the action. Intending to
renew the contest in the morning, Washington directed
all the troops to lie upon their arms in the places where
they happened to be stationed at dark. Wrapped in
his cloak, he passed the night on the field of battle
in the midst of his soldiers. But, when the morning
dawned, no enemy was to be seen. Sir Henry Clinton
had silently withdrawn his troops during the night,
and followed his baggage train on the road leading to
Middletown. As he would have gained commanding
ground, where he might choose his own position, before he could be overtaken, and as the troops had suffered exceedingly from the intense heat of the weather
and fatigue, it was not thought expedient to continue
the pursuit.
This battle, though it can hardly be said to have
resulted in a victory, was nevertheless honorable to the
American arms, and, after the inauspicious retreat of the
first division, was fought with skill and bravery. It
was probably in all respects as successful as Washington had hoped. Congress passed a unanimous vote of
thanks to the Commander and the army.
Four British officers and two hundred and forty-five
privates were left dead on the field, and were buried
by the Americans. It appeared that others were likewise buried by the enemy, making the whole number
of killed nearly three hundred. The American loss was
sixty-nine killed. Several soldiers on both sides are
said to have died in consequence of the extreme heat
of the day, and it is probable that the number of Americans reported as killed does not include all that died
from this cause.
But the loss of Sir Henry Clinton in battle made but