HISTORY OF VERMONT. l$9 



* of them off, though it should iiot exceed four, 



* five, or six hundred men, it would inspirit th« 

 ' people, and do away iimch jof their present 



* anxiety. In su«-h an event, they would loose 



* sight of past misfortunes ; and, urged at the 



* same time by a regard for their own security, 



* they would fly to arms and afford every aid in 

 " their power."* The events that were now 

 ' taking place, were a proof with what sagacity 

 and penetration, this great man foresaw and 

 comprehended the operation of military and po- 

 litical characters and causes. 



On the eighteenth of September, the Ameri- 

 cans marched out, three thousawd strong, to at- 

 tack the British troops, but found from the situ- 

 ation of the royal army, that the attempt would 

 be too hazardous ; they drew up however in 

 full view of the royal army, and remained in 

 that situation till dark. I'he next day, general 

 Burgoyne put himself at the head of the British 

 line, which composed the right wing. This 

 wing was covered by general Frazier and colonel 

 Beyman, with the grenadiers and light infantry 

 of the army ; and these again were covered by 

 the Indians, Provincials, and Canadians, in the 

 front and on the flanks. This wing kept along 

 the high grounds, and advanced through some 

 intervening woods of no great extent, toward 

 the left of the Americans. At the same time 

 the left of the royal army and artillery, under 

 the command of the generals Phillips and Reide- 

 sel, kept along the great road and meadows by 

 the river side. About one o'clock some of the 

 American scouting parties fell in with those of 

 the British, and began the attack with great 



* Marshall's life of 'Vyasbington, Vci, III. P. ZSa-~z^C> 



