My Lady of Doubt | Page 6

from the Delaware to the Schuylkill
extended from the mouth of Conoquonaque Creek, just above Willow
Street, to the Upper Ferry, nearly on a line with Callowhill Street.
These consisted of ten redoubts, connected with strong palisades, all
redoubts well garrisoned by seasoned troops, the Queen's Rangers
being at the extreme right. Within the city proper were the reserves, so
scattered in various encampments as to be easily mobilized, and yet
kept separated. To the north were the Hessians, and next to these came
three regiments of British Grenadiers, with a body of Fusileers. Eight
regiments of the line occupied the slight eminence known as Bush's
Hill, while close to the Ferry was another encampment of Hessians.
The Yagers, horse and foot, were upon another hill near the river, and

below them a large body of infantry of the line. The Light Dragoons
and three infantry regiments were near a small pond. At the Middle
Ferry was the 71st Regiment, and a body of Yagers were at the Point
House, opposite Gloucester. Many of these locations were then outside
the city, which extended at that time from Christian Street on the south,
to Callowhill on the north, being widest between Arch and Walnut,
where it expanded from Delaware to Ninth. However, I visited a
number of these encampments, finding in each merely a small guard
retained for the day, the majority of the troops being off on liberty.
Soon after noon these began to throng the water front, eager to view the
coming spectacle. I was, myself, in the Yager's camp, finishing a late
lunch, with a few officers, when the announcement came that the water
procession had started.
CHAPTER III
THE FÊTE OF THE AFTERNOON
I confess that up to this time I had experienced little interest in the
affair. After Valley Forge it was hard for an American soldier to admire
such boy's play, or to enter into the spirit of British fun making.
Besides the danger of my position, the fear of some slip of tongue
betraying me, the knowledge that I was in the very heart of the enemy's
camp, with grim, stern duties to perform and a return journey to
accomplish, kept me nerved to a point where I thought of little else than
my task. But now I dared not remain indifferent, and, indeed, the
enthusiasm of my companions became contagious, and I joined with
them eagerly, as they hurried forth to the best point of view. Once there
the sight revealed aroused me to an enthusiasm scarcely less than that
of those crowding about. Few, indeed, have ever witnessed so gorgeous
a spectacle as that river presented, and I have found many since who
have questioned my description. Yet I write down here only what I saw
with my own eyes, little understanding at the time its importance to my
future life.
Well out in the stream lay the vessels of war--the Fanny, Roebuck, and
Vigilant--together with a long line of transports, stretching as far as the

eye could see, flags flying, and decks crowded with spectators. At the
fore-mast head of the Roebuck fluttered the Admiral's flag, and the
shoreline was jammed with soldiery, the varied uniforms a maze of
colors. The pageant came down with the tide, moving in three divisions
to the inspiring music of several bands, the oars of galleys and barges
keeping exact intervals. These were decked out with all manner of
colors and streamers, and above fluttered the division flag. As they
passed us, the officers beside me named the various occupants, but I
recall now only the first and last, because of my interest in those aboard.
In the leading galley were Sir William, Lord Howe, Sir Henry Clinton,
the officers of their suites, and some ladies. Lord Howe was facing the
other way, but I noticed that Clinton was short and fat, with a full face
and prominent nose. In the last of the boats stood General Knyphausen,
the Hessian commander, very much of a German in appearance, not tall,
but slender and straight. Between these were flat-boats, covered with
green cloth, loaded with ladies and gentlemen, or else containing bands.
Six barges, darting here and there, kept open space amid the swarms of
small boats. Everywhere the eye swept over a riot of color, and the ear
caught a babel of sound. As the last barge glided by, the man next me
growled in disgust:
"Those are lucky dogs off duty to-day." His eye caught mine. "Why
don't you go after them, Fortesque? There will be plenty of fun afoot
yonder where they land."
"Where is that?"
"At the old fort; follow the crowd, and you'll not go astray. Have you a
ticket?"
"Captain André honored me with one this morning."
"Then you are good for