CHAPTER VII
BATTLE-GROUNDS AROUND PHILADELPHIA
The next morning the ladies and children left New York for Philadelphia,the home of the Davises. On the journey there Mrs. Parke was begged fora story of the time when Washington fought so hard to protect the citythey were bound for.
"After leaving Brunswick, New Jersey, when Cornwallis appeared there,Washington retreated, leaving twelve hundred men to protect Princeton,and, with the rest of the army, proceeded to Trenton, on the Delaware.He collected and guarded all the boats on the river for seventy mileseither side of Philadelphia, then sending the sick over to the lattercity, he followed with baggage and equipment. Leaving the thousand menat Princeton to keep up the appearance of resistance to the Englisharmy, he was about to move his main army, when he heard that Cornwalliswas planning to cut off his retreat across the Delaware. Hastily callingthe men from Princeton, he began a quick retreat, and managed to get allhis men across the river and hold the boats on the Philadelphia side,about the time the British army reached the river on the Jersey side.
"As no boats were to be had, the enemy could not cross, so the Americanarmy had a rest on the Pennsylvania side. It was during this retreatfrom New Jersey that Washington heard of the capture of Lee, at a tavernnear Baskingridge, where he had been sleeping some distance from hismen.
"When the British found they were cut off from pursuit of the Americanarmy, they fell to enjoying themselves in New Jersey, while waiting forthe ice to freeze solid on the river to enable them to cross toPhiladelphia.
"But the Hessians indulged in such open cruelty that many of theinhabitants changed from the proffered friendship to bitter enmity.
"On receiving news of the different cantonments and numbers of theBritish troops, Washington decided to make a bold effort to check theirprogress.
"He formed his men into three divisions, purposing to attack theHessians, 1,500 strong, where they were posted at Trenton; but in tryingto cross the Delaware, one division, under Cadwallader, failed becauseof the tides and the piled-up ice on the Jersey bank.
"The second division was to cross at Trenton Ferry, but this also failedon account of the ice. The third, under command of Washington himself,consisting of about 2,400 men, accomplished the passage with greatdifficulty.
"Had not the obstacles and weather prevented the other two divisionsfrom joining Washington in this fight, the result of this masterlystroke would have been to sweep the British from their holds on theDelaware, and thus establish a firm foothold in New Jersey. As it was,Washington had to forbear a final battle, and remain satisfied withhaving won a partial victory. He re-crossed the river with hisprisoners, six pieces of artillery, 1,000 stand of arms, and valuablemilitary stores.
"This victory revived the spirits of the army, and every spark ofpatriotism in the land was burning brightly, when Washington againcrossed the Delaware with 5,000 men to recover as much as possible ofthe territory overrun by the British.
"Cornwallis was on the point of sailing for England, thinking thecampaign ended for the winter season, when he was compelled to resumecommand of his forces.
"Battle between the two armies raged all day, and at dark the British,confident of victory the following morning, desisted.
"During the night Washington silently decamped, leaving fire burning andsentinels advanced, while small parties guarded the forts. By circuitousroute, the Americans approached Princeton, where an engagement with theBritish took place at daybreak.
"When the Americans drove headlong on, the British took refuge in thecollege, but later surrendered to the Americans.
"On the coming of daylight, Cornwallis discovered the flight of theAmerican army, and soon afterward heard firing from the direction ofPrinceton. He immediately understood the wise tactics of the Americancommander, and fearing for the safety of Brunswick, where valuablemagazines were collected, he advanced toward that place, and was closeupon the rear of the American army before they could leave Princeton.
"Now Washington found himself in a perilous position. His men wereexhausted from lack of food and rest for two days and nights; he waspursued by the enemy, very superior in forces, well clothed, fed andrested, who would overtake him before he could fulfil his plan to takeBrunswick. Under these circumstances he abandoned the project, and tookthe road leading up the country to Pluckimin, breaking down the bridgesover Millstone Creek and other streams, and otherwise creating obstaclesto the pursuit of the enemy; but Cornwallis hastened to Brunswick, wherehe found all plans had been perfected for the removal of the stores anddefence of the place.
"But now came the retribution for the British, who had afflicted theJerseymen on previous trips and stays. The people hung upon the steps ofthe retiring army and wreaked vengeance on the men whenever opportunityoffered itself.
"Washington fell back on Morristown, in the hills of New Jersey,difficult of access, and from this point, where his winter quarters weremade, he overran different sections of Jersey, and by judiciousmovements, wrested from the British most of their conquests in thestate. Thus terminated the eventful campaign of 1776.
"The success of Washington in the Jerseys permitted Congress to meetagain in Philadelphia in February, where they determined to interestforeign countries in their fight for Liberty.
"Franklin and Lee were sent to Paris to enlist the help and sympathiesof France, and thus it was that the valiant Marquis de Lafayette wasdestined to shed glory over the Land of Liberty. In the spring, hereached America and joined Washington's army, with the rank ofmajor-general.
"Another illustrious name that braced the muster-roll of the Americanwarriors that year, was that of the gallant Count Pulaski, thecourageous Pole.
"In August, after many encounters with the British at other places,Washington moved his army. They marched through Philadelphia down FrontStreet, and up Chestnut Street, proceeding by way of Chester toWilmington. From that time on, for two weeks, Washington thoroughlyreconnoitered the country round about between Philadelphia and theChesapeake.
"General Howe landed his British forces a few days' march fromPhiladelphia, where he expected to gain the right of the American army.
"After many engagements, the British army being very superior in numbersand equipment, Washington was gradually forced to retreat, and Howe tookpossession of Philadelphia."
Mrs. Parke suddenly concluded the story to the surprise of the audience,and George instantly said: "That isn't half of the story. You skipped alot about the British before they could get in Philadelphia, and younever said a word about the headquarters at Brandywine, or the Battle ofBrandywine!"
"Well, as you know it so well, why don't you tell it to us?" suggestedMrs. Parke.
"I don't want to. We'd rather hear you tell it," replied Georgeanxiously.
"But I'm tired of telling it. Let Martha tell it."
"Oh, I only know about Chew's House and Red Bank and some other placesin New Jersey that year," protested Martha.
"I know all about Valley Forge, and the dreadful time our army had thatwinter," remarked Jack.
"Well, I thought it was time to ring for some light refreshments, as wewill be in Philadelphia in less than half an hour, and it will be pastluncheon time when we arrive," hinted Mrs. Parke, who had other motivesfor not continuing the story of Philadelphia.
To this new arrangement the children immediately agreed, and the warswere forgotten in the far more interesting present campaign on luncheon.
The small tables were brought in and opened before the travellers, tothe great delight of George and Martha, who had never lunched this waybefore, although Jack and Anne had spoken of it, when they travelledfrom Philadelphia to Washington.
"I think we will each have a cup of consomme," said Mrs. Parke, readingfrom the small menu card.
"That's plain soup!" scorned George.
"I don't want it--do you?" asked Martha, appealing to Anne and Jack.
"We'd rather have something nicer," replied they.
Mrs. Parke ig
nored these side murmurs and continued ordering.
"Then you can bring us some cold beef, bread and butter, cheese andcrackers, and milk for the children. We ladies will have a cup of tea."
"Yas'sam!" replied the polite waiter, leaving the car.
"But what are we going to eat? You never give us cheese at home!" criedMartha in dismay.
"You can have the consomme, crackers and milk. If you care to have a bitof cold beef, you may," replied Mrs. Parke.
"But you didn't order any pie, or cake, or ice cream!" remonstratedGeorge, almost speechless with surprise.
"No, because they only have a buffet lunch, I find. They haven't any hotdishes, or desserts other than the kind ready-made by companies. As youknow, I never care to have you eat pies or ice cream made infactories."
That luncheon, so eagerly looked forward to when suggested, was adreadful failure! Only soup and plain crackers and milk that one couldget at home any time for the asking!
Arriving in Philadelphia, Mrs. Davis remarked as she noted thedisappointed look of the children:
"I know where there is a fine soda-fountain near here, and they servethe best ice cream!" said she.
"Oh, let's!" sighed Martha.
And Mrs. Parke, knowing opposition to be futile, followed after theeager group as they hurried to the corner drug store.
A taxicab soon took them to the Davises' house, where the children wereengaged all afternoon, in visiting the entire house and trying out thetoys in the playroom.
As the two ladies sat in the upstairs sitting-room, Mrs. Davis said: "Dotell me what caused you to suddenly change your mind about including thestory of Washington's campaign in and about Philadelphia?"
"Why, I remembered that, with a story so fresh in their minds, theymight try to play it out on the Philadelphians. If you or I shouldhappen to go shopping, or be invited out to tea, we might return to findWashington's army charging on Chestnut Street, or retreating to thepolice-station!" Mrs. Parke laughingly answered her.
"It will not need refreshed memories to bring about such battles. Theyare apt to open an active campaign without notice, at any time orplace," laughed Mrs. Davis.
"Still, I think it wiser to save Philadelphia's war troubles until weare safe back home on the estate," said Mrs. Parke.
Soon after this conversation, the ladies heard laughter and the patterof feet upstairs in the large playroom, and felt sure the four cousinswere playing as other children did, with dolls and trains of cars, androcking-horses and other numerous toys.
But the uproar grew so loud that finally the two mothers went up to seewhat was going on.
As usual, George was commander-in-chief of the army and Jack was Howe.Martha was Lafayette and Anne was Cornwallis. The dolls, tin soldiers,stuffed animals, and everything in the imitation of any living thingwere arrayed in two lines, facing each other. George was furiouslyriding a rocking-horse, while waving a tin sword wildly about his head.Howe stood on the window-seat issuing orders to his side. Lafayette andCornwallis stood back of their lines, shooting peas at the helplessarmies. For every tin soldier or saw-dust doll shot down, a great whoopof cheer came from the victorious side. When two victims, one on eachside, fell at the same time, the yells were deafening.
So enthused were the warriors that they failed to note the door openinga wee bit, so the ladies withdrew again, happy to find the childrenplaying quietly (?) in the house.