another action occurred, in which the British were totally defeated, and, on the 16th, Bugoyne surrendered with his whole army. This was, perhaps, the most important achievement of the whole war, or the one which had the greatest effect in giving it a favorable result.
About this time, when the popularity of general Gates was at its highest point, intrigues were commenced for elevating him to the station occupied by Washington, which were as shameful as they were unsuccessful. How far he himself was engaged in them, or whether he was concerned in them at all, it is not in our power to state; nor should we wish to enter into any details respecting it.
In June, 1780, Gates received the chief command of the southern districts. In this quarter, the affairs of the colonies were in a very bad condition. Charleston had been taken, and general Lincoln captured. When Gates assumed the command of the southern army, it scarcely amounted to 1500 men, badly supplied in every respect. After collecting all the troops he could, and equipping them as well as he was able, he advanced against the enemy, whom he met, August 16, under Cornwallis, at Camden, where the Americans were totally defeated. About fifty days after this disaster, general Greene was sent to supersede Gates, whose conduct was subjected to the investigation of a special court. After a long and tedious inquiry, he was finally acquitted, and reinstated in his command in 1782; but, in the interim, the war had been brought to a glorious termination by the capture of Cornwallis. When peace was made, he retired to his Virginia estate, and, in 1790, removed to New York, having first emancipated all his slaves, and provided for such of them as could not provide for themselves. On his arrival at New York, he was presented with the freedom of the city, and, in the year 1800, was chosen a member of the state legislature, in consequence of the critical balance of parties at that time, but resigned the seat as soon as the purpose for which he accepted it was gained. He died April 10, 1806, in the 78th year of his age.
General Gates possessed a handsome person, rather inclined to corpulency in the middle of his life; was courteous in his manners, and kind and generous in his disposition. He was a classical scholar and a sincere Christian.
THADDEUS KOSCIUSKO.
Thaddeus Kosciusko, the last generalissimo of the republic of Poland,
one of the noblest characters of his age, was descended from an ancient
and noble, though not rich family, in Lithuania, aad was born in 1756. He
was educated in the military school at Warsaw. The prince Adam Czartoriski,
perceiving his talents and industry, made him second lieutenant in
the corps of cadets, and sent him, at his own expense, to France, where he
studied drawing and the military art. After his return, he was made captain.
But the consequences of an unhappy passion for the daughter of
Sosnowski, marshal of Lithuania (who was afterwards married to the prince
Jos. Lubomirski), obliged him to leave Poland. Solitary studies, particularly
in history and mathematics, and an elevated character, prepared him
for the struggle for freedom, in which he engaged under Washington, who
made him his aid. He distinguished himself particularly at the siege of
Ninety-Six, and was very highly esteemed by the army and the commander
