416 Professor Tyndall [May 3, 10, and 17, 



was impossible. Burgoyne had surrendered, and the issue of the war 

 hung upon the fate of Cornwallis. On October 19th he was obliged 

 to capitulate. The effect of the disaster upon Lord North, who was 

 then Prime Minister, is thus described by Sir M. W. Wraxall : — 

 " The First Minister's firmness, and even his j)resence of mind, gave 

 way for a short time under this awful disaster. I asked Lord George 

 afterwards how he took the communication. ' As he would have 

 taken a ball in his breast,' replied Lord George. ' For he opened his 

 arms, exclaiming wildly, as he jmced up and down the apartment 

 during a few minutes, God ! it is all over ! ' " 



To Thompson's credit be it recorded, that he showed no tendency 

 to desert the cause he had espoused wlien he found it to be a failing 

 one. In 1782 his chief was driven from power, and at this critical 

 time he accepted the commission of lieutenant-colonel in the British 

 army, and returned to America with a view of rallying for a final 

 stand such forces as he might find capable of organisation. He took 

 with him four pieces of artillery, with which he made experiments 

 upon the voyage. His destination was Long Island, New York, but 

 stress of weather carried him to Charleston, South Carolina. Here the 

 influence of his presence and energy was soon felt. " The regiment 

 of cavalry," says Pictet, " called the King's American Dragoons was 

 raised at this time in his native country by his friends and agents, and 

 he was then commissioned as its lieutenant-colonel commandant. 

 This circumstance led him to return to America to serve with his 

 regiment. He had intended to land at New York, but contrary winds 

 compelled him to disembark at Charleston. Obliged to pass the winter 

 there, he was made commander of the remains of the cavalry in 

 the royal army, which was then under the orders of Lieutenant- 

 General Leslie. This corps was broken, but he promptly restored 

 it, and won the confidence and attachment of the commander. He 

 led them often against the enemy, and was always successful in his 

 enterprises." 



About the middle of April Thompson reached New York, and 

 took command of the King's American Dragoons. Colours were 

 presented to the regiment on August 1st, a very vivid account of the 

 ceremony being given in Eivington's Boyal Gazette of August 7th, 

 1782. Prince William Henry, afterwards King William the Fourth, 

 was there at the time. The regiment passed in review before him, 

 performing marching salutes. They then returned, dismounted, and 

 formed in a semicircle in front of the canopy. After an address by 

 their chaplain, the whole regiment knelt down, laid their helmets 

 and arms on the ground, held up their right hands, and took a most 

 solemn oath of allegiance to their sovereign, and fidelity to their 

 standard. From Admiral Digby the prince received the colours, and 

 presented them with his own hands to Thompson, who passed them 

 on to the oldest cornets. " On a given signal the whole regiment, 

 with all the numerous spectators, gave three shouts, the music played 



