“It was a sad thing. War is always dreadful and a great and fearful wrong—often on both sides, sometimes right on one, as I think it was in our War of the Revolution; very wicked on the side of King George and his ministers, right and praiseworthy on the part of the Americans who were fighting for freedom for themselves and their posterity. I cannot see why it should be thought any more sinful to kill Fraser than any one of the privates under him and whom he was ordering to shoot our men; and no doubt his death at that time saved many—probably hundreds of the lives of Americans who were fighting for life, liberty, home, wives and children.
“And the mortal wounding of Fraser had a good effect—a panic spread along the British line. Burgoyne, who now took the command, could not keep up the sinking courage of his men. The whole line gave way and fled hastily to their camp.
“But I shall not go farther into the account of that battle at present; in the one which followed on the 7th of October, and in which the British army was wrecked, Morgan’s services were equally great and important.
“After the victory Gates was unwilling to send Morgan and his regiment back to Washington at Whitemarsh, and it was only with some difficulty and by sending Colonel Hamilton with a special message that the sorely tried commander-in-chief succeeded in obtaining him.
“Washington was at Whitemarsh, near Philadelphia, and on the 18th of November, 1777, Morgan joined him there; in time to take part in the fight early in December of that year.
“On Sunday, the 8th, they advanced, and flanking parties were warmly attacked by Colonel Morgan and his rifle corps, and Colonel Gist, with the Maryland militia. The battle was quite severe. Twenty-seven men in Morgan’s corps were killed and wounded, beside Major Morris, a brave and gallant officer, who was badly maimed. Sixteen or seventeen of the Maryland militia were wounded.
“The enemy’s loss, too, was considerable. The movements of the British seemed to indicate an intention to immediately attack the Americans, so that Washington was presently surprised to perceive that instead of advancing they were marching precipitately, in two divisions, toward Philadelphia. As their adjutant remarked to Mrs. Lydia Darrah, whose story you have all heard before, they had been on a fool’s errand and accomplished nothing.
“On the 25th of August, 1777, Washington, with several divisions of his troops, Morgan and his rifle corps among them, left Philadelphia and encamped at Red Clay Creek, a few miles below Wilmington, the next day. Washington established his headquarters at Wilmington, and at once made preparations to oppose the march of the enemy, scouts having brought him news of their arrival at the head of Elk.
“In September, Washington broke up his camp and crossed the Brandywine at Chadd’s Ford, at about two o’clock on the morning of the 9th. The 11th of September was the day of the battle of Brandywine.”
“Which was a defeat for us, wasn’t it, uncle?” asked Eric.