[33] Loyalists expelled from the American lines.
[34] One of the Irvines was a hatter; the other was a physician. It was probably the latter—Dr. William Irvine—who was in this expedition, for he was then in command of the Second Pennsylvania Regiment. He had been a captain in Canada about two years. Brigadier-General Irvine was made a prisoner at Chestnut Hill, near Philadelphia, in December, 1777.
[35] William Alexander, Lord Stirling, was a general in the Continental army. He had been frustrated in obtaining a Scottish estate and peerage to which he was clearly entitled. He assumed the title as a right.
[36] General Wayne reported that, owing to the lightness of his field-pieces, the shot did not penetrate the logs of the block-house.
[37] Vide Lee's trial. General Charles Lee, in his testimony at his trial by court-martial, after the battle of Monmouth, spoke of "Colonel Hamilton flourishing his sword" after delivering a message from Washington on the battle-field, and saying, "'I will stay, and we will all die here on this spot.' I could not but be surprised," said Lee, "at his expression, but observed him much fluttered, and in a sort of frenzy of valor."
[38] Richard Harrison, Washington's secretary.
[39] A disorder prevalent in the rebel lines.
[40] The merit of these lines, which is doubtless very great, can only be felt by true connoisseurs conversant in ancient song. In "Chevy Chase" occurs the stanza:
"For Witherington needs must I wayle,
As one in doleful dumps;
For when his legges were smitten off,
He fought upon his stumps."
[41] Who kept a dram-shop.