[hanhay] history of THE QUEEN'S RANGERS 149 



of the late General Lee, in his memoirs of the war, gives an account of 

 this remarkable expedition, in which he pays a handsome compliment to 

 Simcoe and his Rangers, the more val'iahle as it is the testimony of an 

 eremy. He says : — 



" This officer commanded a legionary corps called the Queen's 

 Rangers and had during the war signalized himself on various occasions. 

 He was a man of letters and, like the Romans and Grecians, cultivated 

 science amid the turmoil of camps. He was enterprising, resolute and 

 persevering; weighing well his project before entered upon, and promptly 

 seizing every advantage which offered in the course of execution. Geo. 

 Washington, expecting a French fleet on our coast in 1779-80, and desir- 

 ous of being thoroughly prepared for moving up on New York in case 

 the combined force should warrant it, had made ready a number of 

 boats which were placed at Middlebrook, a small village up the Raritan 

 River, above Brunswick. Sir Henry Clinton being informed of this 

 preparation, determined to destroy the boats. The enterprise was com- 

 mitted to Lieut.-Col. Simcoe. He crossed from New York to Elizabeth- 

 town Point with his cavalry, and setting out after night, he reached 

 Middlebrook undiscovered and unexpected. Having executed his object 

 he returned by a circuitous route. Instead of turning towards 

 Perth Amboy, which was supposed to be the most probable course, keep- 

 ing the Raritan on his right, he passed that river, taking the direction 

 towards Monmouth County leaving Brunswick some miles to his left. 

 Here was stationed a body of militia who, being apprised (it being now 

 day) of the enemy's proximity, made a daring effort to stop him, but 

 failed in the attempt. Simcoe, bringing up the rear, had his horse 

 killed, by which accident he was made prisoner. The cavalry, deprived 

 of their leader, continued to press forward under the second in command, 

 still holding the route to English Town. As soon as the militia at 

 Brunswick moved upon the enemy, an express was despatched to Lieut.- 

 Col. Lee, then posted in the neighbourhood of English Town, waiting 

 for the expected arrival of the French fleet, advising him of this extra- 

 ordinary adventure. 



" The Legion Cavalry instantly advanced towards the British horse, 

 but notwithstanding the utmost diligence was used to gain the road 

 leading to South Amboy (which now was plainly the object) before the 

 enemy could reach it, the American cavalry did not effect it. Neverthe- 

 less the pursuit was continued, and the Legion horse came up with the 

 rear soon after a body of infantry sent over to South Amboy from 

 Staten Island by Sir Henry Clinton to meet Simcoe, had joined and gave 

 safety to the harassed and successful foe. 



