By the final decision, the officers were to receive half-pay for the term of seven years, and a gratuity of eighty dollars was to be given to each non-commissioned officer and private who should continue in the service until the end of the war. It was only by such manifestations of a desire on the part of Congress to deal justly by the army that it was prevented from dissolution in the spring of 1778.
During the encampment of the Americans at Valley Forge and of the British in Philadelphia, the latter sent out parties, at various times, to plunder the people, and break up the feeble posts of the Republicans. Among the most active troops in these enterprises were the Queen's Rangers, * commanded by Major (afterward Lieutenant-colonel) Simcoe. One of these expeditions, in which Simcoe was engaged, was sent out from Philadelphia in February. It consisted of a detachment of about five hundred troops, under the command of Colonel Abercrombie, of the fifty-second regiment. They went to Salem, in 1778 New Jersey, by water, where they remained a few days reconnoitering, with a view of as-
* The Queen's Rangers were a corps of native American Loyalists, raised chiefly in Connecticut and in the vicinity of New York, by Colonel Rogers. At one time they mustered about 400 men, and, as their name implies, were intended for very active service. They were quite reduced in numbers when, in the autumn of 1777, they were placed under the command of Major Simcoe, a young and active officer of the British army. His zeal and military skill soon made his corps a model of order, discipline, and bravery. * He received the commission of lieutenant colonel. We shall meet him several times hereafter.
* The following advertisement appeared in Rivington's Royal Gazette, printed in New York:
"ALL ASPIRING HEROES
have now an opportunity of distinguishing themselves by
joining THE QUEEN'S RANGER HUSSARS,
commanded by Lieutenant-colonel Simcoe.
Any spirited young man will receive every encouragement, be
immediately mounted on an elegant horse, and furnished with
clothing, accouterments, &c., to the amount of forty
guineas, by applying to Cornet Spencer, at his quarters, No.
133 Water Street, or his rendezvous, Hewett's Tavern, near
the Coffee-house, and the Defeat of Brandy wine, on Golden
Hill.
Whoever brings a recruit shall instantly receive two
guineas.
VIVANT REX ET REGINA."
Expedition against Militia Posts in New Jersey.—Skirmish at Quintan's Bridge, on Alloway's Creek.
certaining the position of Wayne, who was then actively employed in that state in procuring horses and provisions for the American army. Wayne was compelled to exercise great vigilance and dexterity to prevent being surprised by the enemy on these occasions.
On the 17th of March another British force, mustering between twelve and fifteen hundred men, composed chiefly of Scotchmen, under the command of Colonel Charles Mawhood and his majors, Simcoe and Sims, marched into Salem, where they were joined by a large number of Tories. * From these Colonel Mawhood learned that about three hundred American militia, under Colonel Benjamin Holmes, were posted on the south side of Alloway's Creek, at Quintan's Bridge, about three miles from Salem. Mawhood determined to beat up their quarters, and, as he publicly declared, "chastise the rebels."
