Complete Works. Hamilton Alexander

      Chapter V

      Courtship and Marriage

       Table of Contents

      The years from 1779 to 1783 included a most interesting period of American history, and in this brief space a number of events occurred which not only directly concerned Hamilton, but also his father-in-law. In the late spring of 1780 Sir Henry Clinton had captured Charleston and returned to New York, leaving Cornwallis in command, who reorganized the British forces and defeated Gates at Camden in September of that year, putting the latter to inglorious flight. Even Greene, who was considered the best general of the American army, and who had been sent to succeed Gates, was twice defeated, once at Guilford Courthouse and again at Hobkirk Courthouse, in South Carolina. Later Cornwallis proceeded northward, making a junction with Arnold, who had espoused the British cause and escaped to the man-of-war Vulture after eluding Hamilton who was sent to capture him near West Point. Arnold, however, was sent to New York to join Clinton who had become alarmed. Washington, whose good generalship was always evident, with the aid of Rochambeau, made a pretended assault upon that city, with the result that Clinton was so embarrassed that he hastily sent to Cornwallis, begging for additional help. The next step was the advance of the American army into Virginia where, with the co-operation of the French fleet under DeGrasse and the French allies under Rochambeau, the attack was made upon Cornwallis who had intrenched himself at Yorktown, It is hardly necessary to refer to the surrender of the brave English leader, or the details of the siege or battle; suffice it to say that Hamilton's conduct had much to do with the success of the American forces, and gained for him a great deal of his military reputation.

      Clinton was yet in New York, but the Patriot army, still further reduced by its late experience, preferred to play a waiting game, and no attack was made. Meanwhile General Schuyler had been active in the north, but through a conspiracy and the action of an incompetent and prejudiced Congress, he was suspended and deprived of his command by Gates.

      Profiting by Schuyler's partially accomplished work. Gates forced the surrender of Burgoyne; he, however, ultimately met with reverses and his own triumph was short-lived. When puffed up with ambition he later attempted not only to undermine and supplant Washington with the help of the notorious Conway Cabal, but essayed a military role which was a failure, and was subsequently ignominiously defeated by Cornwallis. In this connection a letter written by General Schuyler to Hamilton throws much light upon the disordered state of affairs in the upper part of the State of New York.

       Philip Schuyler to Alexander Hamilton

      Saratoga, November 12, 1780

      My dear Sir: Both your favors of the 17th and 22d I had the pleasure to receive about the latter end of the month, since which this place has been a scene of Confusion and distress, the Inhabitants flying for shelter to the Interior part of the state, and the Militia moving up with a tardiness which has given me more real Concern than the Enemy's depredations have done, as It evinces either disaffection in too many, or that they are heartily tired of the Contests. I fear there is too much of both.

      I hope General Green will reach Virginia in time to Collect a body of troops and bring matters into proportion before the troops you suspect to be destined from N York for Virginia arrive there, as by the affair of the 6^th of August Gen. Gates has lost the command in that quarter, I Consider rather favorable to us, for certain I am that his want of abilities would have proved extremely prejudicial to us, I sincerely wish he may never command, at any Important post.—

      The disaster which the British have experienced in the Spanish dominions on this continent will I hope rid Spain of her fears and Induce unanimity in the Court of Madrid. A peace at this Juncture between Spain and Britain would very Materialy Injure our cause.

      I am exceedingly sorry to find that a certain expedition was not agreeable to Count De Rochambeau and the more so as I know how Impracticable It is to prosecute one without the immediate aid of the French troops. I believe the Gallic commander has private Instructions to the Contrary, otherwise I think he would not forego a command in which he would reap many laurels with little trouble, for as to success It appears to me that would have been beyond a doubt. —The reduction of Canada since the Indians are generally become hostile is a matter certainly of the first Importance, as we shall have no alternative left in the ensuing Campaign but that of abandoning the present frontiers from Virginia to New Hampshire Inclusive, or keeping a body of troops for their protection equal to the Conquest of Canada.

      I was on the point of commencing my Journey to Hartford when the british on Lake Champlain a second time reached this quarter, that and their manoeuvre on the Grants prevented me from prosecuting It, and It is now too late. Mr. Benson' paid me a visit a few days before he set out for Hartford. The conversation we had together I hope will tend to public utility. He is strongly Impressed with the necessity of Immediately and permanently compleating the army, and of another matter which I formerly mentioned to you. Both appear to me so necessary that I form no great expectations from the first without the latter.

      I have advised the Governor to call the Assembly at any early day. I think It of great importance that a final surrender should be made with the people on the Grants. They are capable of strengthening the army and aiding In the defense of the pontoons, and I do not despair of rendering them useful in both ways. If I can bring the legislature to adopt my Ideas.

      Be assured that we shall be happy to see the Gentlemen you mention, and such others as you may bring with you.

      Mrs. Schuyler joins me in the most affectionate wishes.

      Adieu. I am Dear Sir Most Sincerely,

      Your serv. etc.

      Ph. Schuyler,

      Colo. Hamilton.

      The "grants" here referred to were those allotted to the settlers by Governor Wentworth, the territory being that which now forms the States of New Hampshire and Vermont, but at that early time was a disputed region not comprised in the lands deeded to New York by Massachusetts and Connecticut, and lying above the division line.

      Hamilton's duties were most engrossing, and the available correspondence that passed between him and his superiors and friends makes us wonder that he found time for any social distractions whatever. It appears that he was sent to meet Rochambeau, and again was despatched to West Point to capture Benedict Arnold, while his connection with the trial of Major Andre at about the same time shows that his billets were numerous and important. However, he found sufficient opportunity to fall in love with Miss Elizabeth Schuyler, who was the second of the General's daughters, a girl of about his own age, she having been born in 1757.

      In the winter of 1779-80 Washington was for the second time encamped at Morristown, under very much better conditions than when he was there previously, and, thanks to the provisions made by Robert Morris and General Schuyler and the help afforded by France, the troops were better clad and housed, although there was still great destitution and, later, great discontent. This, in measure, was due to the fact that they had not, for a long time, been paid, and a mutinous spirit was