The Life of George Washington, Vol. 3 | Page 4

by a person formerly a lieutenant in Proctor's regiment of
artillery, who, disgusted at being discarded from the American service,
became a spy to Sir William Howe; and, the better to fulfil his new
engagements, kept up his acquaintance with his former comrades, and
frequently visited the camp at Valley Forge. To avoid the suspicion
which would be excited by his going into Philadelphia, a rendezvous
had been established on Frankford Creek, where he met a messenger
from General Howe, to whom his communications were delivered. This
statement is certainly correct.]
[Sidenote: May 20.]
On the night of the 19th of May, General Grant with five thousand
select troops, took the road which leads up the Delaware, and
consequently diverges from Barren Hill. After marching some distance,
he inclined to the left, and passing White Marsh, where several roads
unite, took one leading to Plymouth meeting-house, the position he was
directed to occupy, something more than a mile in the rear of the
Marquis, between him and Valley Forge. He reached his point of
destination rather before sunrise. Here the roads fork; the one leading to
the camp of Lafayette, and the other to Matron's ford over the
Schuylkill.
In the course of the night, General Gray, with a strong detachment, had
advanced up the Schuylkill on its south side, along the ridge road, and

taken post at a ford two or three miles in front of the right flank of
Lafayette, while the residue of the army encamped on Chestnut hill.
Captain M'Clane, a vigilant partisan of great merit, was posted on the
lines some distance in front of Barren Hill. In the course of the night,
he fell in with two British grenadiers at Three Mile Run, who informed
him of the movement made by Grant, and also that a large body of
Germans was getting ready to march up the Schuylkill. Immediately
conjecturing the object, M'Clane detached Captain Parr, with a
company of riflemen across the country to Wanderers hill, with orders
to harass and retard the column advancing up the Schuylkill, and
hastened in person[3] to the camp of Lafayette. He arrived soon after
daybreak, and communicated the intelligence he had received. It was,
not long afterwards, confirmed by the fire of Parr on the Ridge road,
and by an inhabitant who had escaped from White Marsh as the British
column passed that place.[4]
[Footnote 3: Extracts of letters from the adjutant general and the officer
of the day to Captain M'Clane.
Camp Valley Forge, May 21st, 1778.
Dear Captain,--I am happy you have with your brave little party
conducted with so much honour to yourself. The Marquis effected,
owing to your vigilance, a glorious retreat as well as a difficult one.
Signed ALEX. SCAMMELL, Adj. Gen.
Camp Valley Forge, May 23d, 1778.
Dear Captain,--I am pleased to hear you are still doing something to
distinguish yourself in the eyes of your country. I have the pleasure to
inform you that your conduct with the Marquis has been very pleasing
to his Excellency and the whole army.
I am your obedient servant,
CHARLES SCOTT, Brig. Gen. and officer of the day.]

[Footnote 4: The danger with which this detachment was threatened,
was perceived from the camp at Valley Forge, soon after it had been
communicated to Lafayette. Alarm-guns were fired to announce it to
him, and the whole army was put under arms, to act as circumstances
might require. It has been erroneously stated that General Washington
was unapprised of this movement of the British army until its object
was defeated. The author was in camp at the time, saw the
Commander-in-chief, accompanied by his aids and some of the general
officers ride, soon after sun-rise, to the summit of the hill on the side of
which the huts were constructed, and look anxiously towards the scene
of action through a glass. He witnessed too the joy with which they
returned after the detachment had crossed the Schuylkill.]
Thus surrounded with danger, Lafayette took with promptitude and
decision the only course which could preserve him. He instantly put his
troops in motion, and passed over at Matron's ford, which was rather
nearer to General Grant, than to himself, without being intercepted by
that officer, or sustaining a greater loss than nine men.
General Grant, who reached the ground lately occupied by Lafayette
soon after it was abandoned, followed his rear, and appeared at the ford
just after the Americans had crossed it; but, finding them
advantageously posted, did not choose to attack them; and the whole
army returned to Philadelphia, having effected nothing.
He did not escape censure for having allowed the great advantage he
had acquired, to slip through his hands unused. He might with the
utmost certainty have reached Matron's ford before the Marquis, and
have