k
to meet the enemy, and remained out until dark. The sign of fear was not
seen in our camp; and had not some of the cowardly and disaffected
inhabitants spread false alarms through the country, the Jerseys had
never been ravaged."

On the 12th of December, General Lee had marched no farther than
Vealtown, eight miles from Morristown. He continued to disregard
Washington's appeals and instructions, receiving one almost every day.
In some of them the commander-in-chief showed that his patience was well
nigh exhausted.

"I am surprised that you should be in doubt about the route you are to
take after my definite instructions," he wrote on the 11th of December.

"I have so frequently mentioned our situation, and the necessity of your
aid, that it is painful for me to add a word on the subject," he wrote
on the same day.

At Vealtown Lee left his troops in command of General Sullivan, and took
up his own quarters at a "tavern" in Baskingridge, three miles off. He
was very partial to "_taverns_" especially if well stocked with certain
articles to please his palate.

On the next morning, about 11 o'clock, General Lee was writing at the
table, and Major Wilkinson was looking out of the window. The latter
arrived early in the morning with a letter from his commander, General
Gates, and General Lee was replying to it.

"The British cavalry are upon us!" shouted Wilkinson in consternation.

"Where?" exclaimed Lee, springing from his chair.

"Right here, around the house," answered Wilkinson, who beheld a
detachment of British cavalry surrounding the tavern.

"Where are the guards?" cried out Lee, in his surprise and horror.
"Why don't they fire?"

It was a cold morning, and the guards had stacked their arms, and passed
around to the south side of the house to sun themselves. They scarcely
observed the enemy's presence until they heard the demand to surrender.

"If General Lee does not surrender in five minutes I will set fire to
the house!"

At the same time the guards were chased in different directions. The
demand for Lee to surrender was repeated, and he did surrender. Hastily
he was put upon Wilkinson's horse, which stood at the door, and within
three hours the enemy were exulting over him at Brunswick.

"No one to blame but himself," remarked Heath.

"Good enough for him," said many Americans.

General Sullivan was now in command, and he joined the
commander-in-chief as soon as possible.

In Wilkinson's