■M6 . NATURAL AND CIVIL 



twelve and six pounders. Disregarding the fire/ 

 they drew up along the skirts of the woods, 

 amidst the trees, about two hundred yards dis- 

 ftant from the British artillery. No sooner were 

 they formed, than they made a very sudden and 

 rapid attack upon the British grenadiers, who 

 were posted to support the left wing of the line. 

 ^Major Ackland, at the head of the grenadiers, 

 sustained this fierce assault with great resolution ; 

 but general Gates having ordered out more re- 

 giments, the Americans extended their attack 

 along the whole front of the Germans, who were 

 posted immediately on the right of the British 

 grenadiers. In this situation, it became impos- 

 sible to move any part of the German troops to 

 form a second line to support the flank, where 

 the heavy weight of the fire became irresistible. 

 ', The right of the British troops was still un- 

 engaged ; but it was perceived that a large body 

 of the Americans wa& marching round their 

 iiank, to cut off their retreat. To oppose this 

 bold and dangerous measure, the British light 

 infantry, and their twenty fourth regiment, were 

 directed to form a second line, in order to cover 

 the retreat of the troops into their camp. 



WnriE this movement was taking place, the 

 Americans' pushed forward a fresh and strong 

 reinforcement to decide the action on the left y 

 which being totally overpowered, was compelled 

 to give way ; and the British light infantry and 

 twenty fourth regiment, was obliged by a very 

 ^uick movement to endeavor to save that wijig 

 from being totally destroyed ; in this maneuvre 

 general Frazier was mortally wounded. The 

 situation of the whole detachment was now 



