118 NATURAL AND CIVIL 



except Warner's regiment, and join him with 

 all possible dispatch. , Stark had also concluded 

 to march from Bennington, to which place he 

 had repaired, and meet Lincoln at an appointed 

 place, and proceed with him, and join Schuyler. 

 General Arnold had also been sent on by Wash- 

 ington with a considerable detachment and train 

 of artillery to assist Schuyler. These exertions 

 and movements of the Americans served to en- 

 courage their troops, and raised the spirit of ani- 

 mation and enterprise. Another measure had 

 also much influence : Congress had desired 

 general Washington to order such a general as 

 he should think the most proper, to repair im- 

 mediately to the northern department, and re- 

 lieve general Schuyler in his command there. 

 Washington declining to make the appointment, 

 on August the fourth, they proceeded to make 

 the appointment themselves ; and by the vote 

 of eleven states, the election fell on general 

 Gates. The New England troops and p>eople 

 were not a little gratified and encouraged, by 

 this measure of Congress. 



While the American army was thus assum- 

 ing a more respectable appearance, general Bur- 

 goyne was making very slow advances towards 

 Albany. From the twenty eighth of July to the 

 fifteenth of August, the British army was con- 

 tinually employed in bringing forward batteaux, 

 provisions, and ammunition, from fort George, 

 to the first navigable part of Hudson's river ; a 

 distance of not more than eighteen miles. The 

 labor was excessive, the Europeans were but 

 little acquainted with the methods of performing 

 it to advantage, and the efiect was in no degree. 



