CHAPTER I.

FORMATION AND FIRST SERVICES OF THE REGIMENT.

DISAGREEMENTS having arisen between the Courts of St. James's and Versailles, with regard to the fulfilment of the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle - certain mutual acts of aggression having taken place in North America and on the seas - preparations were made for war, which was proclaimed against France on the 18th May, 1756. In January, Lord Barrington, Secretary of State for War, laid estimates before the House for additional forces to be raised, and, among other augmentations, fifteen of the infantry regiments were authorised to raise second battalions from the 25th August, 1756, which were afterwards constituted separate regiments.

In that year, accordingly, the 11th Regiment was increased to twenty companies, which were divided into two battalions. In 1758, when the additional battalions were formed into distinct corps, they were numbered from sixty-one to seventy-five. By this arrangement the second battalion of the 11th Regiment was constituted the 64th Regiment on the 21st April, 1758, under the command of Colonel the Honourable John Barrington, from the 2nd Foot Guards.

The following officers were appointed to commissions in the 64th Regiment on its formation, from the 21st April, 1758.

Colonel Hon. John Barrington.

Lieut.-Colonel Wollaston Pym.

Major Thomas Ball.

Captains.

Hon. Alexander Leslie, Alexander Symmer, John Wedderburn, David Dickson, Watson Powell, Bernard Rice.

Captain-Lieutenant Nicholas Tench.

Lieutenants.

William Maxwell, Charles Townshend, John Day, William Morrison, Andrew McTaggart, John Roberts, Thomas Acklom, Thomas Walker, Curtis Farran, Peter Calder, John Williams, Gerard More, George Bell, Mansell Andrews, Bertles Gilland, Robert Kingston, Robert Hoyes, George Brown.

Ensigns.

William Ellison, William Tidswell, John Nolan, William Irwin, Robert Lofty, Charles Bell, William Abington, John Townsend.

Chaplain Robert Bell.

Adjutant Charles Townshend.

Surgeon Douglas.

Quartermaster John Roberts.

Agent Mr. Fisher, Axe Yard, Westminster.

The first active service the Regiment saw was in the West Indies: it embarked at St. Helen's on the 12th of November, 1758, with the expedition sent against the French West Indian Islands, under Major-General Hobson. The force consisted of the 3rd Buffs, 4th, 61st, 63rd, 64th, and 65th Regiments. After a voyage of 52 days the fleet arrived at Barbadoes, where they were joined by 200 of Murray's Highlanders, and part of the 38th Regiment from Antigua, amounting in all to 5,800 men. The whole armament sailed from Carlisle Bay on the 13th of January, and on the 15th entered the bay of Port Royal, Martinique, and speedily silenced the batteries of Fort Negro and Casdenavires. On the 16th the troops landed and advanced into the country towards Fort Negro; next day they proceeded to an eminence that overlooked the town of Port Royal, sustaining a troublesome fire from the enemy concealed in the woods and bushes. The hill that overlooked the town was called Morne Turtueson, the most important post in the island; and the French seeing it occupied by the British were thinking of making terms, when General Hobson thought proper to desist, believing the force insufficient for the enterprise and the difficulties to be overcome too great; so the troops re-embarked and the attack on the island was abandoned.

The fleet then directed their course to Guadaloupe, and appeared off Basseterre, the capital of the island, on the 22nd; the next day an attack was made on the town and batteries which defended it. The action was maintained with great vivacity until evening, when the place was in flames and the magazines blown up. During the engagement, the Rippon, Captain Jekyll, having run aground under two batteries, had a narrow escape of being destroyed.

On the 24th the troops landed and took possession of the town which they found abandoned, the enemy having retired to the hills, where they fortified themselves and armed their negroes, continually harrassing the British by their petty warfare. Madame Ducharmy, a lady of masculine courage, armed her slaves and led them in person against the British; but at length her stronghold was stormed, after an obstinate conflict, and her followers dispersed. As little impression could be made in this part of the island, the General determined to transfer the seat of war to the eastern side of the island called Grandterre; accordingly the large ships of war were sent round to Grandterre, and the battery called Fort Louis was cannonaded and stormed by the Marines and Highlanders. In the meantime General Hobson died. The command devolved upon General Barrington, (late Colonel of the 64th), who resolved to prosecute the war with vigour. Leaving a garrison in Basseterre, he embarked the remainder of the troops, having formed a plan to prosecute the war in Guadaloupe by detachments, which fully answered his expectations.

Detachments were landed on the Grandterre side of the island, and they succeeded in destroying the posts of the enemy. The principal detachment, consisting of 1,500 men, under Colonel Clavering, landed near the town of Arnonville, and carried the enemy's intrenchments behind the river Licorne. Colonel Clavering advancing, occupied Petit-Bourg, and began his march on the 20th April towards St. Mary's, where the enemy had collected their whole force; when the British appeared before the town, the enemy, perceiving them about to turn their lines, quitted them in order to oppose the design, when they were attacked and utterly routed, with the loss of all their cannon; next day two deputies came to propose terms of capitulation, which were settled without delay, the small islands of Deseada, Los Santos, and Petit-Terre being included in the capitulation May 1st; and this success was followed by the reduction of Marie-Gallante. Three regiments (the 3rd, 61st, and 64th) were left as a garrison in Guadaloupe, the three others returning to Europe.

In these operations Lieutenants Bell, Southouse, and Maxwell of the 64th Regiment were wounded, while Capt. Sneyd, Lieutenant Walker, Ensign Irwing, Surgeon Webb, and Mates Robinson and Hudson succumbed to the effects of the climate and disease.

The Regiment remained in Guadaloupe until its evacuation in 1763, when it sailed for home, under convoy of the Roebuck man-of-war, and was quartered in Ireland until 1768.

CHAPTER II.

THE AMERICAN WAR OF INDEPENDENCE.

In consequence of the disturbed state of the American Colonies in 1768 a reinforcement of 2,000 men was despatched to Boston, several regiments being sent out from home. With others, the 64th embarked at Cork and proceeded to Boston, where they remained until May, 1770, and must have been there when the collision took place with the inhabitants in March. In May they embarked for Halifax, Nova Scotia, but subsequently returned to Boston in the end of 1772, and were quartered in Castle William, which was situated on Castle Island, some two miles from Boston, near Dorchester Point; here they remained until the evacuation of the city. In 1774 the Massachusetts Assembly constituted themselves into a Congress, and appointed a Committee to organise the forces of the State and collect warlike stores; they also formed a force called "minute men" (men who were ready to turn out at a minute's notice when required). General Gage, who had replaced Governor Hutchinson at Boston, knowing of these proceedings, was obliged to take action. In September, 1774, he expeditiously seized two cannon and a quantity of powder at Cambridge, and on the 26th February, 1775, he despatched Colonel Leslie and 200 of the 64th, it seems, from Castle William to capture certain military stores at Salem, but the expedition miscarried.

The incident is described in Trevelyan's "American Revolution" as follows:

"Colonel Leslie sailed to Marblehead (February, 1775) for the purpose of seizing some artillery which the provincials had deposited at Salem as a place of comparative security. He landed his detachment successfully on a Sunday morning, but when the alarm reached the nearest meeting house, the congregation turned out and took up a position upon some water which barred his route. They refused to lower the drawbridge on the plea that there was no public right of way across it, and when Leslie atempted to lay hands on a couple of barges the owners proceeded to scuttle them. The soldiers drew their bayonets and inflicted some wounds, and only just enough to allow Salem to claim the honour of the first drop of blood which was shed in the revolution. A loyalist clergyman intervened. The people agreed to lower the bridge, and Leslie pledged his honour not to advance thirty rods beyond it. Brave to impudence when duty as well as danger lay clear before him, he was not prepared without specific orders from a high quarter to light a blaze. He recalled his men and re-embarked them empty handed, just as a company of minute men from the next township, with plenty more of their like to follow, came marching to the help of Salem."

Soon after this General Gage received intelligence that a depot of munitions of war had been formed at Concord, some twenty miles from Boston, which he determined to destroy. For this purpose, on the night of the 18th April, he despatched the Grenadier and Light Infantry Companies belonging to the corps in Boston (which did not include those of the 64th), under Lieut.-Colonel Smith. This led to the unfortunate affair of Concord or Lexington on the following day, when the flank companies lost nine officers and 223 N.C.O.'s and men killed and wounded, besides 25 missing. After this the Colonists took up arms, and Boston was immediately invested by 20,000 men, whose lines extended from Roxburg, on the right, to the Mystic River on the left; these were soon strengthened by redoubts and artillery. The troops in Boston were too weak to assume the offensive, and from the 20th April became closely blockaded in their lines. In June, it seems, an exchange of prisoners took place, as stated in the following extract from a letter written at Cambridge, New England, on June 8th, 1775, and published in the London Chronicle: - "Thursday last, being the day agreed on for the exchange of prisoners, between twelve and one o'clock Dr. Warren and brigadier-General Putnam, in a phaeton (Americans), together with Major Dunbar and Lieutenant Hamilton, of the 64th, on horseback, and Lieutenant Potter, of the Marines, in a chaise, proceeded to Charlestown, in order to exchange the prisoners, after which the officers, with General Putnam and Doctor Warren, proceeded to the house of a Doctor Foster, where an entertainment was provided."

On the 24th May, Major-Generals Howe, Clinton, and Burgoyne arrived at Boston with six regiments, which brought the force there up to over 10,000 men, and the newly-arrived comanders proposed to occupy and fortify Charlestown Neck. This idea having been made known to General Ward, the American Commander, he directed Colonel Putnam to entrench himself on Bunkers Hill, but the latter took up a more forward position on Breeds Hill on the night of 16th June, and there constructed a redoubt. On the following morning General Gage was surprised at the appearance of this work, and made preparations to dislodge the enemy. This led to the dearly-bought victory of Bunkers Hill (really Breeds Hill; but in which the 64th had no part), after which the British entrenched themselves near Charlestown Neck, and both sides, being secure in their positions, attempted nothing more than a distant cannonade. The 64th, on account of their isolated position on Castle Island, escaped the routine of the Boston garrison to a great extent, but they are often mentioned in General Howe's orderly book (now printed), in which the daily orders of the garrison in Boston and Charlestown are given.

In June, the troops having recovered from the fatigues of the blockade of Boston, the 64th sailed with the expedition to Staten Island, near New York, where they landed on the 2nd of July. The 64th had eight companies stationed at Amboy Ferry, one at Richmond, and one at Staten Island, where their muster rolls were signed on July 15th. Reinforcements reached the army here from England, and shortly after another body of troops arrived from the Southern Provinces of America, under Major General Sir Henry Clinton, when the troops were brigaded as follows

1st Brigade. - 4th, 15th, 27th, and 45th Regiments, Major-General Pigot.

2nd Brigade. - 5th, 28th, 35th, and 49th Regiments, Brigadier-General Agnew.

3rd Brigade. - 10th, 37th, 38th, and 52nd Regiments, Major-General Jones.

4th Brigade. - 17th, 40th, 46th, and 55th Regiments, Major-General Grant.

5th Brigade. - 22nd, 43rd, 54th and 63rd Regiments, Brigadier-General Smith.

6th Brigade. - 23rd, 44th, and 64th Regiments, Major-General Robertson.

7th Brigade. - l7th Light Dragoons, 71st Regiment, Brigadier-General Erskine.

Guards.-Major General Mathews.

Light Infantry Brigade: 4 Battalions Light Infantry. Brigadier-General Leslie.

Reserve Lieut.-General Lord Cornwallis and Brigadier-Gen. Vaughan.

33rd, 42nd, and 4 Battalions of Grenadiers.

Artillery and Engineers. - Brigadier-General Cleveland.

Hessians. - General de Hester and Count Donop.

On the 4th of July, 1776, the American Congress issued their Declaration of Independence; and shortly after operations commenced. On the 22nd August the whole army, complete in every requisite, and in the finest order, crossed over to Long Island, where the Americans had raised a line of works, from Wallabout Bay, across Brooklyn Heights, down to Gowan's Cove, for the protection of New York. Between these works, and the plain on which the British landed, stretched a thickly wooded range of hills, traversed by only three roads, on each of which redoubts had been thrown up and the whole line strongly occupied by the Americans. The whole force of the British now amounted to nearly 30,000, of whom 13,000 were Hessians. After the disembarkation the army occupied the ground from Flat Bush, in front of the villages of Gravesend and Utrecht; the direct road to the enemy leading through a pass beyond the village of Flat Bush. The army lay in this position till the morning of the 27th, when it was determined to attack the Americans in three divisions. General Clinton and Earl Percy were on the right, with whom marched the Grenadiers and Light Infantry; Lord Cornwallis was in the centre, with the old and veteran de Hester who commanded the Hessians; while General Grant's column, including the sixth Brigade, moved along near the water's edge towards Gowan's Bay on the enemy's right; skirmishing and cannonading ensued, until the Americans, hearing the firing on their left, which Clinton had turned, retreated in great confusion to their fortified lines at Brooklyn, having lost altogether 2,000 men, besides three Generals taken prisoners. The British had five officers, three sergeants, and 53 men killed; 11 officers, 11 sergeants, three drummers, and 231 privates wounded. The 64th lost no officers, and what men they had killed or wounded is not shown separately. The 44th seem to have suffered most among the officers in the 6th Brigade. On the night of the 28th of August the Americans abandoned their fortified lines at Brooklyn, and retired across East River to New York. On the 15th September, the first division of the army crossed over and landed at Kip's Bay, under cover of a terrible fire from the ships, and Washington, being unable to get his troops to face the British, retired to the heights of Haarlem, just in time to save himself being cut off, leaving his artillery and quantities of stores behind. New York was immediately taken possession of by a brigade of British troops, but shortly after one-third of the town was burned by incendiaries, left for that purpose by the Americans. On the 22nd of October the sixth Brigade, under General Agnew, was moved to sustain the post of Mamaroneck. In the meantime Washington had taken up a position behind the Bronx, called White Plains, facing the whole line of the King's troops, and against this position the British moved on the 28th of October. The enemy had occupied a rising ground in front of their position with 4,000 men ; this post was carried with great spirit, and the enemy retired within their lines, which they strengthened during the night. The British being reinforced by the 4th Brigade and two battalions of the 6th Brigade, from Mamaroneck, it was determined to attack on the 1st of November; but the enemy hearing of this determination evacuated their lines the night before, and retired towards North Castle. On the 4th November, the 6th Brigade retired to West Chester, and were quartered near de Lancey's Mills. Shortly after, Forts Washington and Lee were taken, and on the 8th of December, Rhode Island was occupied by General Clinton, without opposition. The army now went into winter quarters the 6th Brigade occupying Haarlem. On the night of the 25th of December, Washington suddenly crossed the Delaware, and surprised the Hessians at Trenton, completely routing them; Colonel Rahl, their commander, being mortally wounded, and nearly all his men being made prisoners, to the number of about 1,000.

On the 1st January the effective strength of the 64th was one Lieut.-Colonel, one Major, seven Captains, ten Lieutenants, four Ensigns, 28 Sergeants, 17 Drummers, and 483 Privates.

The British army endured great hardships during the winter on account of the severe weather, hard duty, and the difficulty of procuring forage and provisions. The campaign commenced in April, when the Commander-in-Chief, having received intelligence of a large quantity of stores having been deposited on the borders of Connecticut, at the town of Danbury, an expedition was sent to destroy these stores, consisting of 2,000 men, composed of detachments of the 4th, 15th, 23rd, 27th, 44th, and 64th Regiments, under Major-General Tryon. On the 25th of April this force left New York, and proceeded up East River as far as Camp Point, where they landed, and marched to Danbury: the enemy being taken by surprise soon retired. The British having no transport to bring away the stores, set fire to the place. On their return they were assailed by the Americans, who hung upon their rear, and when they arrived at Ridgefield, which place they had to pass, they found the enemy, under General Arnold, entrenched there in force.

The British troops did not expect to meet with any resistance, nevertheless they attacked the intrenchments with great spirit, and carried them in a short space of time, although greatly fatigued; the British rested on their arms all night, and continued their march at day-break. Meanwhile the enemy having received reinforcements, attacked and greatly harassed them all the way to the shipping, and took post on the Hill of Campo to disturb the embarkation. The English were fearfully exhausted, hut General Erskine, putting himself at the head of 400 of the most able, charged with such impetuosity with the bayonet, that the Americans were totally routed, and made no further attempt to disturb the embarkation of the British. The Americans lost General Wooster, several field officers, and about 400 men. The British had ten officers and 200 men hors de combat, including Captain Carter, Ensign Mercer, and eleven men of the 64th wounded.

In June, Sir William Howe crossed over into the Jerseys, but was unable to bring Washington to an engagement. Washington had taken up a skilful position at Middlebrook and fortified it, so preventing any movement on Philadelphia, or any attempt of the British to co-operate with General Burgoyne, who was approaching from Canada. Sir William Howe determined to sail round to the Chesapeake, and make a dash from that quarter. The expedition sailed from Sandy Hook, and included the 64th Regiment, which had been stationed at Bedford Camp, Long Island, with one company at Cripples Bush. The whole force consisted of 36 battalions, British and Hessian, and sailing up the Chesapeake, proceeded up the Elk River, and landed on the northern shore at the head of the river, on the 24th of August, when it seems the Grenadiers were sent forward to attack a post of the enemy on Iron Hill. On the 8th of September, the whole army moved on towards Philadelphia, and after marching thirteen miles received intelligence that the enemy were in sight.

As soon as Washington was certain of the intentions of the British, he proceeded to Philadelphia, and from thence to Wilmington, at the mouth of the Brandywine, but suspecting that it was the intention of General Howe to get between him and Philadelphia, he retired behind the Brandywine, on the 9th, taking up a position on the heights there, and covering the fords, prepared to dispute the passage of the river.

On the 11th of September, at daybreak, the British moved forward in two columns; Lieutenant-General Knyphausen advanced with the right column to Chad's Ford, where he encountered Generals Wayne and Maxwell, and some severe fighting ensued; the left column, under Lord Cornwallis, including the 4th Brigade, which consisted of the 33rd, 37th, 46th, and 64th Regiments, took a circuitous march towards the left to turn the enemy's right flank. General Sullivan had been sent by Washington to the right, with 10,000 men, and took up a commanding position above Birmingham Church, with his left near the Brandywine, both flanks covered by thick woods, and his artillery advantageously posted. Cornwallis, after proceeding twelve miles, gained the forks of the Brandywine, crossing them at Rinks and Jefferey's Fords, formed his men in two lines, and with the 4th Bngade as support, and 3rd Brigade in reserve, advanced in the direction of Dilworth. He soon came on the enemy, whom he attacked with great impetuosity, and drove them into the woods in their rear; they however rallied and took up a second position in some woods near Dilworth, but were dislodged, after a desperate resistance, by the 2nd Light Infantry. This corps, with the 2nd Grenadiers, and the 4th Brigade, now moved forward a mile beyond Dilworth, where they found a fresh body of the enemy, strongly posted to cover their retreat, whom they did not dislodge until after it was dark. The American army fled in great confusion in different directions, the greater portion retiring to Chester. Its loss was 300 killed, 600 wounded, and 400 men prisoners. That of the British was 8 officers and 74 men killed, and 400 wounded. The 64th lost Captain Nairne and 4 men killed, besides Major Mackleroth, Lieutenants Jacob, Torianno, Wynward, and Ensigns Freemand and Grant, five sergeants, and thirty-one men wounded.

On the 25th September the King's army marched in two columns to German Town, and Lord Cornwallis with his detachment took possession of Philadelphia next morning. Previous to this, on the night of September 18th, the 42nd and 44th Regiments, under Major-General Gray, whom, on account of his predilection for the bayonet, the Americans called the "No Flint General," surprised 1,500 of the enemy, under General Wayne, killing and wounding 300 on the spot, besides taking several officers and 80 men prisoners. Washington collected as much as he could of his army at Philadelphia, which he evacuated three days after the battle of Brandywine, and took post at Skippack Creek, about seventeen miles from German Town, where he was shortly after reinforced by 2,500 men, and, receiving intelligence of the large detachments that were sent by the British to occupy Philadelphia and cover convoys, formed the design of surprising the camp at German Town. Accordingly, on the morning of the 4th of October, under cover of a mist, the Americans advanced in five columns to outflank and surprise the British in German Town. The attack fell on the 40th Regiment and 2nd Light Infantry, who, overpowered by numbers, were driven back, but Lieutenant-Colonel Musgrave threw himself into a stone building with five companies of the 40th Regiment, and held his own against a whole brigade with four guns, until Major General Grey with the 3rd Brigade came up, and at once vigorously attacked, and drove the enemy out of the village with great slaughter; at the same time the 5th and 55th Regiments attacking them on the right, and the 4th and 49th Regiments on the left, broke and pursued them for a considerable distance. They attempted to rally on some rising ground, but it was only a feint to secure a retreat ; this they did under cover of a fog which hindered the British from discovering their movements. As it was, they lost over 1,000 killed and wounded, besides 400 prisoners, General Nash and a great number of officers being among the slain. The British lost 600 killed and wounded, including General Agnew and Colonel Bird, both distinguished officers. The 64th Regiment had only one rank and file killed and six wounded, as the 4th Brigade was in support. The Americans returned to their old camp at Skippack Creek, and, a fortnight after the battle, General Howe brought in the troops from German Town, to Philadelphia, to be more at hand for the clearing of the river and reducing the forts on the Delaware. On the 22nd an attack was made on Fort Island, and at the same time the redoubt opposite Philadelphia was assaulted by a party of Hessians under Colonel Donop, but the brave Colonel was mortally wounded and taken prisoner, and the detachment had to withdraw.

New measures were therefore adopted, several men-of-war attacked the enemy's works in front, some frigates drew up against a newly-erected fort, on the Jersey side of the river, while two ships made their way to the back of Hog's Island, and in concert with newly-erected batteries on Province Island, enfiladed the works of the enemy on Mud Island, and forced them to abandon their batteries. Two days after they also abandoned their works at Red Bank, leaving their artillery behind them; so the river being cleared, the Americans had no alternative but to abandon their shipping, which was burned by their crews.

The English army now went into winter quarters in and about Philadelphia, and Washington removed his camp to Valley Forge, upon the Schuylkill, about fifteen miles distant.

In the meantime General Burgoyne, who had started from Canada in the middle of June to force a passage to Albany, and form a junction with General Howe, and thus cut off all communication with the New England and middle States of the Union, after several successes was finally reduced to extremities, surrounded by an army three times his own strength, and had to surrender to General Gates on October 17, 1777. During the winter the Americans suffered fearfully at Valley Forge, sickness and disease thinned their ranks; but indolence and luxury did no less injury to the British in the wealthy city of Philadelphia. Discipline became lax, the inhabitants were insulted, gaming of every kind was permitted and sanctioned; a foreign officer held the bank at the game of faro and made a considerable fortune, while many officers, who might have rendered honourable service to their country, were ruined and had to return home penniless. During the whole of this long winter of riot and dissipation, no effort was made to disturb the Americans at Valley Forge, where they were entirely at the mercy of the British. Washington with only 5,000 starved men, nearly naked, and deserting in numbers to the British, was permitted to remain unmolested by a finely appointed army of 14,000 men, and a number of excellent officers, wishing only to be led against them; but Sir William Howe let the time slip by, and in the meantime the opportunity was gone. Yet the British General had endeared himself both to the officers and men by his warm disposition and winning manners, and when he was recalled, at his own request, in June, 1778, twenty-two field officers at Philadelphia, gave a famous festival in his honour, called "Mischianzea", which rivalled the magnificent exhibitions of Louis XIV of France. All the colours of the army were placed in a grand avenue, 300 feet long, lined by the King's troops, between two triumphal arches, through which the two brothers, the Admiral Lord Howe and the General Sir William Howe marched along in pompous procession, followed by a numerous train of attendants, with seven silken Knights of the Blended Rose, and seven more of the Burning Mountain, and fourteen damsels dressed in the Turkish fashion, to an enclosed area of 150 square yards, lined also with the King's troops, for the exhibition of a tilt and tournament, or mock fight of old chivalry, in honour of the two brothers. On the top of each triumphal arch was a figure of Fame, bespangled with stars, blowing from her trumpet in letters of light, "Les Lauriers sont immortels." This romantic triumph caused great talk at the time, and did not escape severe satire, both in private circles and from the press.

Meanwhile France thought the present would be a favourable time to interfere on behalf of the Americans. The surrender of Burgoyne's army having finally decided her, a treaty was concluded between that country and the United States, on the 6th of February, and a fleet, under Admiral D'Estaing, was immediately got ready to proceed to America.

Sir Henry Clinton, an officer of very considerable reputation, was appointed to the command of the army on the 8th of May, and the forces now under his command amounted to 10,000 men at Philadelphia, and 4,000 in the vicinity of New York, all in excellent order. During the spring several attempts at negotiating were made, but without result, and as the French had now espoused the American cause, it was necessary to concentrate the troops at some place not so far distant from the sea as Philadelphia, which indeed had been of no use to the British except as a winter quarter; so on the 18th of June Clinton left Philadelphia, and crossing the Delaware, which was safely effected, owing to the excellent arrangements of Lord Howe and the officers of the fleet. proceeded northerly through the Jerseys, intending to march direct to Brunswick, and there embark for New York.

As soon as Washington was informed of General Clinton's intended departure, he dispatched General Maxwell with his Brigade to reinforce the Jersey Militia, and throw every obstacle in the way of the British. He himself followed with six Brigades as soon as Clinton had departed, and General Gates was sent to take post on the opposite bank of the Rariton river to intercept the retreating army; but Clinton evaded these combinations by moving towards Sandy Hook instead of crossing the Rariton. The Royal Army was so much encumbered with baggage, and by so large a body of refugee royalists, that the column extended twelve miles. The English General sent all the baggage forward under charge of Knyphausen, and kept a day's march in the rear. Although the British were greatly retarded by the rainy weather and intense heat, the Americans did not come up with them until the 27th June, when they appeared on the left of the British position at Freehold or Monmouth. On the English resuming their march early next day, the Americans prepared to turn their flanks, but Clinton attacked them with the Guards, Grenadiers, 1st Light Infantry and Queen's rangers, who broke their first line and attacked a second line, although not with the same success. Sir H. Clinton brought up fresh troops, and Washington seemed now in his turn about to attack, but such was the heat of the day, that the soldiers on both sides desisted from hostilities altogether. On the side of the English 59 soldiers are said to have perished without a wound, merely through the excessive heat and fatigue. Clinton pursued his march at midnight, without further molestation, to Novesink, a high land near Sandy Hook, where he arrived on the 30th, and found Lord Howe with the fleet, in which they embarked on the 5th July, and were conveyed by sea to New York. Soon after this the American army took up its position at White Plains, on the borders of the Hudson, where it remained until late in the autumn.

No sooner had the British fleet and army concentrated at Sandy Creek, New York, than the French fleet under Admiral D'Estaing with 11,000 men on board arrived in America and appeared off New York on the 11th of July. On the 22nd, the French fleet seemed as if it would attack the British position, but the French Admiral changed his mind and appeared off Rhode Island to co-operate with the Americans under General Sullivan, who, with 5,000 men, was attacking the British forces there, which consisted of four English and four Hessian battalions. D'Estaing engaged the English batteries on the 8th of August, but seeing the English fleet coming up retired, and after an engagement with them eventually put into Boston.

Meanwhile disagreements arose between the French and American officers on Rhode Island, their attack failed, and finally they were defeated and obliged to quit the Island. Sir Henry Clinton, who was hastening with 4,000 men to the relief of Rhode Island, was detained by contrary winds, and only arrived the day after the Americans had left, otherwise General Sullivan and his army would, in all probability, have been cut off. The British commander having been thus, disappointed in cutting off the Americans, he determined to send the expedition to destroy the privateers upon the Acushnet River in Plymouth county, in New England, together with a number of prizes which they had lately taken. The command of the expedition devolved upon Sir Charles Grey; it consisted of the 1st Battalion of Light Infantry, the 1st Battalion of Grenadiers, the 33rd, 42nd, 46th, and 64th Regiments; and never was a service more effectually performed. The troops were landed on the banks of the Acushnet River on the evening of the 5th September, and such was the rapidity of the execution, that by noon the next day they were all re-embarked, having in the meantime burnt and destroyed more than seventy sail, and also burned at Bedford a number of store-houses filled with provisions and stores of all kinds; they also destroyed a fort on the east side of the river, mounting eleven pieces of heavy cannon, blew up the magazine, and burned the barracks, with the loss only of one man killed, four wounded, and sixteen missing. The 64th Regiment had only one man wounded. The fleet next proceeded to the island called Martha's Vineyard, where they burned several vessels, destroyed a salt work, and made the inhabitants furnish a contribution of 10,000 sheep, 300 oxen, also a sum of money, and with these seasonable provisions returned to New York. In the beginning of 1779 the 64th Regiment was distributed as follows - eight companies at Paulus Hook, one at Southampton, and one at Long Island.

The war languished in the north all the spring, nothing of importance being done. The campaign opened in May, when Sir H. Clinton, being sensible of the importance of the posts of Stony Point and Verplanks, the points of most direct communication between the provinces on either side of the Hudson River, he thought it would be the most favourable time to attack, as the enemy had nearly completed their works there; accordingly Major-General Vaughan proceeded up the North River on May 30th, having been joined by the corps from Virginia, and on the morning of the 31st landed he larger part of his forces eight miles below Verplanks, whilst the 17th, 63rd, and 64th Regiments, with 100 Yagers proceeded to within three miles of Stony Point, where they landed under Lieutenant-Colonel Johnson. On the ships coming in view the Americans evacuated their works and fired a large Block House, and as the troops approached made a show of resistance, but would not await a contest. Johnson, as soon as he was in possession of Stony Point, established a battery and opened fire upon Fort Fayette, on the opposite side of the river, while General Vaughan appeared in its rear. The enemy seeing themselves surrounded, surrendered, and garrisons being placed in the forts, the ships returned to New York; this important enterprise costing our troops only one man wounded. But the British were not allowed to rest long at Stony Point, for on the night of the 15th of July the American General Wayne surprised the garrison, all of whom were killed or captured to the number of 600, including Lieutenant-Colonel Johnson - the loss falling chiefly on the 17th Regiment; the Americans lost a large number themselves. The guns were immediately turned against the other British post, Fort Fayette, on Verplanks Neck. Sir H. Clinton at once ordered the troops and transports from the Sound, where they were ready to proceed on an expedition against New London, and Brigadier-General Stirling in the meantime embarked with the 42nd, 63rd, and 64th Regiments for the relief of Verplanks, and obliged the Americans to retreat and evacuate Stony Point. Sir H. Clinton followed with reinforcements and tried to bring Washington to an engagement for the possession of Stony Point, but having failed, left Brigadier-General Stirling at Stony Point with five battalions to repair and garrison the works.

The French fleet having retired, Sir Henry Clinton found that with the reinforcements from home, and the troops from Rhode Island, which had been evacuated, he would have sufficient troops to protect New York, and undertake an expedition for the purpose of reducing South Carolina, and attacking Charlestown. The reason that South Carolina suggested itself as the grand object of the enterprise, was the mildness of the climate, the richness of the country, its vicinity to Georgia, and its being so far from Washington. The force consisted of four flank battalions, twelve regiments or corps of British, Hessian, and Provincials, including the 7th, 23rd, 33rd, 62nd, 63rd, 64th, and 71st Regiments, a powerful detachment of artillery, 250 cavalry, with ample supplies of military stores of all kinds. On the 26th December the fleet and convoy sailed from Sandy Hook, General Knyphausen being left in command at New York. The strength of the 64th at this time was one major, six captains, eleven lieutenants, five ensigns, twenty-eight sergeants, twenty-two drummers, and four hundred and eighty-eight privates. There were also thirty-five sick, and four recruits; besides these, one sergeant and ten men had fallen into the hands of the Americans early in the war, the only prisoners lost by the regiment until the battle of Eutaw Springs.

The fleet encountered very tempestuous weather on their voyage from New York: some of the vessels were lost, and nearly all the horses died ; it eventually arrived on the 11th February, at St. John's Island, about 30 miles from Charlestown; the troops disembarked next day and advanced slowly through the country, passed from St. John's to St. James's Island, from thence over Wappo Cut to the main land, until they reached the banks of the Ashley River, opposite Charlestown. So great were the impediments met with, and so extremely cautious was the Commander-in-Chief to establish communications, that the army did not effect the passage of the Ashley River until the 29th of March: it was conducted with much address by Captain Elphinstone of the navy. The army landed on Charlestown Neck, four miles above the town, and on the 30th encamped in front of the American lines, breaking ground on the 1st of April, at the distance of 800 yards. On account of the slow advance of the British, the Americans had time to strengthen and greatly enlarge their defences. General Lincoln had collected a garrison of 5,000 men, a force hardly sufficient to man the extensive works; the British force amounted to 8,500 men. On the 9th of April fire was opened both from the batteries and from the ships, and the siege carried on with considerable vigour. The Americans had a force of three regiments of Cavalry and a body of Militia, under Brigadier-General Huger, who held the forks and passes on Cooper River, and maintained a communication with the town, supplying the garrison with ammunition and provisions; against these Sir H. Clinton dispatched 1,400 men, under Colonel Webster, consisting of the 33rd and 64th Regiments; they reinforced, on April 13th, Colonel Tarleton, who was watching General Huger with a detachment. In the evening Tarleton moved on with his own corps and Ferguson's towards Monk's Corner, to surprise the Americans by night at that place, and if possible to get possession of Biggin Bridge, on Cooper River; the surprise was completely successful; General Huger narrowly escaped, 150 of their Cavalry were taken prisoners and 400 horses, of which the British Cavalry were much in need, besides 50 waggon loads of necessaries for Charlestown. Biggin Bridge was next attacked and taken at the point of the bayonet; Tarleton had only one officer and three men wounded in this successful enterprise. On hearing of this success, Colonel Webster immediately moved up with the 33rd and 64th Regiments to Biggin Bridge, and shortly after took post near the head of Wandoo River, thus preventing any further supplies being thrown into Charlestown, which was now completely invested; but as the corps under Colonel Webster had a large space to guard, Sir H. Clinton reinforced this part and gave the command on the east side of Cooper River to Lord Cornwallis. Meanwhile the seige was pushed on rapidly and on May 7th conditions were offered to General Lincoln, which, however, he refused. The batteries of the third parallel were then opened, and the fire was so heavy that General Lincoln sent a flag of truce on the 11th; on the 12th the terms were signed, and the garrison laid down their arms. During the siege the British had 72 killed and 18 wounded; the Americans lost much about the same number. Up to this time, since the landing, the 64th had only Lieutenant Freeman, of the Light Infantry, and one man, wounded. In his dispatches, Sir H. Clinton said he had especially to express his obligation to Lieutenant-Colonel Webster and the corps which acted under him. After the reduction of Charlestown it was garrisoned by the 7th, 63rd, and 64th Regiments, under Brigadier-General Patterson; the latter regiment having two companies detached at East Chester. The Regiment remained at Charlestown, or in its vicinity, at Sumter and Sumter's House, until they moved to Monk's Corner in the spring.

After the capture of Charlestown, Sir H. Clinton gave over the command to Lord Cornwallis, and withdrew to the army at New York. Cornwallis had dispatched Lord Rawdon to Camden, where he himself joined him in August, and on the 10th completely defeated the Americans under General Gates at that place. Colonel Tarleton also had a severe engagement with General Sumter at Blackstock Hill on the 20th November, both sides claiming the victory, which ended the operations for this year.

Early in the year Cornwallis advanced towards the borders of the Carolinas. General Greene, who had succeeded General Gates, defeated the van of the British under Tarleton, at Cowpens, on the 19th of January, but was himself defeated on the 15th of March at Guildford Court House, after a well fought action, in which the British contended against great odds, losing a third of their force. Cornwallis, believing Greene ruined, marched to Wilmington, and on the 25th of April advanced through North Carolina to give his hand to General Arnold in Virginia. Lord Rawdon had been left in command at Camden, where the indefatigable Greene suddenly appeared before him. However, Lord Rawdon attacked and defeated him at Hobkirk's Hill, on the 25th of April; but being too weak to attempt anything, found himself obliged to retire and act on the defensive. So on the 9th of May he evacuated Camden, and retired across the Santee River, from thence to Eutaw, and finally took post at Monk's Corner, where the 64th Regiment must by this time have arrived from Charlestown, not having been engaged in any of the actions since the fall of that place.

After the abandonment of the upper country by the British, the Americans, under Genera1 Greene, overran the whole of it, Lord Rawdon being unable to take the offensive until reinforcements arrived. Greene, after reducing the British posts at Forts Watson, Moote, Granby, and Orangeburgh, sat down in form before Fort Ninety-six, on the 22nd of May, about the same time that Colonel Lee invested Fort Augusta. The works at Fort Ninety-six had been completed and new defences added under the superintendence of Lieutenant Haldane, of the corps of Engineers, Aide-de-camp to Lord Cornwallis, whilst Lieut.-Colonel Cruger, and his garrison of 500 Provincials, exerted themselves to the utmost in completing the defences.

At length, on the 3rd of June, the long-expected reinforcements, consisting of the 3rd Buffs, the 19th, and 30th Regiments from Ireland, arrived at Charlestown. Lord Rawdon, who had heard with deep regret of the fall of Fort Augusta, lost no time in setting out for the relief of Fort Ninety-six. He marched on the 7th of June with the flank companies of the newly-arrived regiments, and was joined on the route by Col. Doyle and the troops which he had left at Monk's Corner, which must have included the 64th Regiment. The force now amounted to 1,800 foot and 150 horse, which proceeded by forced marches towards Ninety-six. At length, on the morning of the 21st of June, it reached the fort, after fourteen days' incessant marching through an exhausted country under a burning sun. Greene, after having been repulsed with severe loss in an attempt to storm the place, had retired, and was followed by Lord Rawdon, who had no intention of letting him escape; but he did not cease his flight till he had crossed the Tiger and Broad Rivers. Being unable to overtake Greene, Lord Rawdon retraced his steps to Ninety-six, which he determined to abandon. Accordingly, he left the greater portion of his force, under Colonel Cruger, to bring away the public property and such loyalists as wished to retire more under the protection of the British, whilst he himself, with 800 infantry and 60 horse, set out for Friday's Ferry, on the Congaree, where he had ordered Lieutenant-Colonel Sturt to meet him with the 3rd Buffs and a convoy destined for the army; for some cause, however, they had been recalled to Charlestown, but eventually joined Lord Rawdon at Orangeburgh. General Greene, being informed that Lord Rawdon had divided his force, and was falling back to Friday's Ferry for the purpose of joining Colonel Sturt, ordered Lee, who was to be joined by Sumter and Marion, to take post at Friday's Ferry on the opposite side of the Congaree to the British, and hold them in check until he himself should overtake them. Lord Rawdon, being uncertain of the movements of Lieut.Colonel Sturt and the Buffs, determined not to risk the approach of Greene; so putting his army in motion, retired to Friday's Ferry, forced the passage of the river, driving Lee before him - who fortunately had not been joined by Marion and Sumter - and as soon as his baggage was over, advanced on the road to Orangeburgh, and halted at this small village, where he was joined next day by Lieutenant-Colonel Sturt and the convoy. General Greene now came up and carefully examined the British position on the 12th of July, but came to the conclusion it was too strong to attack, so next day he drew off and retired to the high hills of Santee. Before returning, however, Greene ordered the light troops under Marion, Lee, and Sumter to make a raid towards Charlestown, and unite at Monk's Corner for the purpose of dislodging the 19th Regiment stationed there: they had lately arrived wih the reinforcements, and were young troops. The Americans came down on Lieutenant-Colonel Coates, who commanded the 19th, about the 16th of July; he decamped in the night, but was overtaken. However, he eventually got clear, with the loss of his baggage, and about one hundred of his men taken prisoners. Shortly after Colonel Cruger, having removed the loyalists to safe quarters, joined at Orangeburgh. This closed the campaign, for the intemperate heat of the climate overcame all the energies of the men. Lord Rawdon was altogether upset by it, and left for Charlestown to embark for England, handing over the command to Lieut.-Colonel Sturt of the Buffs. Colonel Sturt did not remain at Orangeburgh, but moved his whole force towards the Santee, and sat down near the confluence of its two branches, about fifteen miles from the Americans, on the other side.

Although General Greene in the course of the year had been driven from South Carolina, twice defeated, and obliged to raise the siege of Fort Ninety-six, yet, owing to circumstances and his own energy, he had rather the best of the campaign. On the 22nd of August, Greene having been reinforced by a brigade of Continental troops, and his own having rested, put his forces in motion for the recovery of South Carolina. Leaving the hills of Santee, he crossed the Wataree, near Camden, and the Congaree at Friday's Ferry, receiving reinforcements as he advanced. On hearing this Colonel Sturt fell back to Eutaw, about 40 miles from the Congaree River. This movement was made to meet a convoy of provisions for the army from Charlestown. General Greer followed the British slowly to give time for General Marion (who had been down on the Edisto river) to come up and join him, which he did on the 7th of September, seven miles from Eutaw, and at four o'clock next morning advanced to attack the British. At six o'clock two deserters came in the British camp and gave notice of the approaching attack, but, unfortunately, they were not believed, and a party of 400 men of the different Regiments had been sent out in search of vegetables on the very road that the enemy were advancing by. This party fell an easy prey to the enemy, numbering nearly a third of the British force left. Colonel Sturt now drew up his army across the road on the heights near the Eutaw Springs. The flank battalion covered the right between the road and a rivulet ; two cannon and a covering party occupied the road. The remainder, consisting of the Buffs, 63rd, 64th, and detachment of the 84th Regiment, besides four corps of Provincials - all very weak - extended to the left of the road. The American front line was composed of four battalions of militia; the second of three brigades of Continental troops. Lee's legion covered the right, the South Carolina troops the left, while Colonel Washington, with the cavalry and the Delaware troops, formed the reserve, altogether amounting to about 4,000 men and six guns, more than double the British. By some mistake the British left advanced, and drove the Americans before them, but, coming on the Virginian and Maryland troops of the second line, a heavy fire poured into them. "Then," as Stedman in his excellent history of the war says, "the pressure of the enemy's fire was as compelled the Buffs, being young troops, to give way; but the remains of those veteran corps, the 63rd and 64th Regiments, who had served the whole war, lost none of their former fame in this action. They rushed with bayonets into the midst of the enemy, nor did they give ground until overpowered by numbers and severe slaughter." The left had to retire and reform, under cover of the New York Volunteers, who had taken post in a stone house on the open ground on right of the road, and poured a destructive fire into the American ranks, and checked them, although they brought a gun up against the house. The left wing having reformed, advanced, and the action continued with obstinacy. In the meantime, Colonel Washington, with the cavalry, charged the battalion on the right, but being received with a murderous fire, they fled, leaving Colonel Washington wounded and a prisoner. The flank battalion now passed undiscovered to the left of the line and attacked the Americans on that side. This completed the action; the enemy gave way in all parts, leaving two guns, Colonel Washington, and 60 men in the hands of the British, besides losing 60 officers, and 700 men killed and wounded. The British had three officers killed, sixteen wounded, and ten missing; 139 men killed, 351 wounded, and 257 missing. The surprise of the detachment in the morning accounts for the large number missing. The British also lost one gun. The 64th had Lieutenants Graham and Coswell wounded, Captain Strong and Ensign Laton taken prisoners (Laton died of his wounds shortly after), two sergeants and ten men killed, three sergeants and forty-seven men wounded, and seven sergeants and forty-seven men missing. Both sides claimed the victory, but the British remained on the field all night, and afterwards retired to Monk's Corner. The Americans retired to a strong position seven miles off, and eventually retired to their former post on the high hills of Santee. The British confined themselves to Charlestown Neck, and some other posts in the neighbourhood of Charlestown, and General Greene did not think himself strong enough to reduce that place.

Two more engagements, however, took place before the 64th left the continent, in which Major Brereton, of the Regiment, distinguished himself. On the 3rd January, 1782, when in command of the Grenadiers and Light Infantry of the Army, he was attacked by the whole body of Militia of North Carolina, under the command of General Guest, who was defeated with very considerable loss. On Major Brereton's return to New York he received General Leslie's thanks for his service. In August, Major Brereton again took a most prominent part in another action. He was sent to procure provisions on the borders of Georgia and South Carolina for the troops going to the West Indies, and while there was attacked on the 27th August by a considerable body of the enemy, which had been sent forward by General Greene, under the command of General Guest. Major Brereton, with 1,200 infantry, defeated them at Combahee Bluff, where they were collected to oppose his landing. Colonel Lawrence, with two or three more officers, and about 40 men, were killed. The English had only one man killed and eight wounded. The action lasted 27 minutes. The British troops engaged were the 17th, 64th, and 84th Regiments, besides Provincials. It was regarded as a brilliant victory, the enemy having 3,000 regular infantry, a large body of militia, and 150 cavalry. They lost five guns.

This was the last action which took place in the first American War, and Major Brereton for the fifth time received the thanks of the Generals under whom he served.

Charlestown Neck became the head-quarters of the 64th until their departure for Jamaica in the Summer of 1782. One company of the Regiment still remained in the North at Staten Island, which had been stationed at Bedford, Long Island, previously, and another company had been stationed at Newton Landing near Charlestown in February. During the campaign in South Carolina the Regiment, from various causes, lost 400 men.

The great event in the campaign of 1781 was the surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown. Lord Cornwallis was an able commander, and had been successful in Virginia although skillfully opposed by General La Fayette; but he had at last to contend with the main body of the Americans, as well as with the French troops, their united forces amounting to 12,000 men. Cornwallis was obliged to surrender to this superior force, and 7,000 prisoners, with all their baggage and stores, fell into the hands of the victors on the 19th of October, 1781.

After this the conviction was general that the war would soon be terminated; it was nevertheless continued until 1783 without, however, being signalized by any great event. On the 30th of November, 1782, preliminary articles of peace were signed at Paris, by which Great Britain acknowledged the independence of the United States; the whole country South of the lakes and east of the Mississippi being ceded to them, and the right of fishing on the banks of Newfoundland. On the 25th of November, 1783, the British troops evacuated New York, and the American army was disbanded.

"Thus ended," says Stedman the historian of this war, the most extensive, difficult and burdensome war in which Great Britain had till then been engaged, which cost her £115,000,000, and the lives of 43,633 men, whilst the Americans, during the same period, lost not less than 100,000 men. Although the issue of that war was unfortunate, our national character was not impaired, nor the contest, while it was maintained, on the whole inglorious; neither martial ardour was wanting, nor military enterprise, nor patriotic zeal. In that rank, and those circumstances of life which are at once a temptation and an apology for dissipation, and a love for pleasure, the military spirit of Britain shone forth with undiminished lustre, and the noblest families exhibited bright examples of true courage, exalted genius, and consummate wisdom."

The historian of the Royal Fusiliers also says, "though the fame of the British army was undoubtedly diminished, yet, in the midst of all these misfortunes, the glories of the British soldier, as represented by the private sentinel and company officer, shone with an untarnished lustre. The system under which they were organized was the parent of their misfortunes, the natural bravery and vigour of the men was the origin of their power on the field of battle; the lack of real military education for the higher leaders, springing from one of the falsest military systems that ever was devised, was their weakness and the source of their disasters."

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