History of Northampton, Massachusetts, from its settlement in 1654;

388 HISTORY OF NORTHAMPTON. [1776.
The Second Year Defeat aiid disastei* everywhere followed
of the War.
\}^q patriot armies during the second year
of the war. It is true Boston had been
evacuated, and New England freed from the enemy, but
the summing up of the year's operations was decidedly to
the advantage of the mother-country. The American
troops had been driven from Canada, and the gateway
from the north was again open to the invaders. Independence,
approved by twelve colonies, had been declared and
published by the Continental Congress, and the first step
towards liberty taken. The complete success of the North
Carolina minute-men at Moore's Creek, followed by the
repulse of the British fleet at Fort Moultrie, flashed like a
meteor across the darkened sky, irradiating and illuminating
the immortal declaration that established a new nation
under the sun. But darkness settled again deeper than
before. The disastrous battle of Long Island placed New
York City in the hands of the enemy. Forts Washington
and Lee had fallen, and Newport had been captured by the
enemy, Washington was apparently being driven in hot
haste out of New Jersey, and altogether the outlook was
gloomy and dispiriting. About this time, however, Washington,
by a series of brilliant manoeuvres drove Cornwal-
lis from the Jerseys, and the year closed with a gleam of
sunshine that brightened the horizon, encouraged the sons
of liberty, and taught the enemy that the subjugation of
the colonies was no holiday aff^air.
Sinews of War During tliis time the colonies had responded
Promptly Pro- generously and promptly to all demands
made upon them. Requisition followed
requisition for men, clothing and provisions. The struggle,
whose end no man could foresee, was taxing heavily the
resources of the country, but the people were determined,
and they settled down to the work before them with energy
and courage that nowhere admitted the possibility of de-
feat. So inadequate were the financial arrangements that
the soldiers were greatly in arrears for their pay, and
Washington and other generals pledged their private fortunes
for the liquidation of these obligations.