The danger at this time is thus treated in Sparks’s Life of Trumbull:
“Intelligence had come from New York that three hundred horsemen had crossed over to Long Island and proceeded eastward, and that boats at the same time had been sent up the Sound. It was inferred that the party would pass from Long Island to Connecticut and attempt to intercept General Washington on his way to Newport, as it was supposed his intended journey was known to the enemy. Lafayette suggested that the Duke de Lauzun should be informed of this movement as soon as possible, that he might be prepared with his cavalry, then stationed at Lebanon, to repel the invaders.”
There had landed at Newport with Rochambeau a most brilliant French officer of cavalry, who was destined to become the general-in-chief of the Army of the Rhine, and to lose his head in the French Revolution. It was the Duke de Lauzun, born in Paris, 1747. He commanded a force known as Lauzun’s Legion, which consisted of some six hundred Hussars, with the French enthusiasm for liberty. They were well equipped, wore brilliant uniforms, and bore the banners of heroes.
The alarm-post became the seat of numerous orders; the roads were dusty with hurrying feet.
The people met on the green as soon as the bugles were heard.
Peter was there. He heard the bugles ring out, and cried:
“Auvergne! They are the bugles of Auvergne!”
Dennis listened as the air rung merrily.
“Yes, Peter, those are the bugles of Auvergne.”
Faith Trumbull came out and stood on the green beside Peter.