his own testimony, and said: "Serving with you in
congress, and attentively observing your conduct there, I thought that
you manifested in the American cause a zeal truly patriotic; and as far
as I could judge, exerted the abilities for which you are confessedly
distinguished, to prosecute the good and prosperity of your own country
in particular, and of the United States in general." Thus Mr. Lee's
vindication of himself was triumphant.

"Virtue may be assailed, but never hurt;
Surprised by unjust force, but not inthralled;
Yea, even that which mischief meant most harm,
Shall in the happy trial prove most glory."

FOOTNOTES:

[684:A] Letter of Richard Henry Lee to Patrick Henry--among the Lee MSS.
I am indebted to N. F. Cabell, Esq., for the use of his transcripts of
these interesting MSS., which are deposited in the library of the
University of Virginia.

[684:B] Life of Richard Henry Lee, 192; Bland Papers, i. 58.

CHAPTER XCIII.

1777.

Battle of Brandywine--Virginia Brigades--Burgoyne's Expedition--
His Surrender--Daniel Morgan--Washington at Valley Forge--
Frigate Randolph--Treaty with France--Clinton retreats--Battle
of Monmouth--General Lee--Anecdote of Colonel Meade--The Meade
family--Colonel Baylor--General Clarke.

IN the battle of Brandywine, which took place on the 11th of September,
1777, Sir William Howe again proved victorious; but the action was well
contested, and the loss on both sides heavy. The Virginia brigades,
under Wayne and Weedon, particularly distinguished themselves. General
George Weedon, before the Revolution, had been an inn-keeper at
Fredericksburg. The third Virginia regiment, under command of Colonel
Thomas Marshall, (father of the chief justice,) which had performed
severe duty in 1776, was placed in a wood on the right, and in front of
Woodford's brigade and Stephen's division. Though attacked by superior
numbers, the regiment maintained its position until both its flanks were
turned, its ammunition nearly expended, and more than half of the
officers and one-third of the soldiers were killed or wounded. Colonel
Marshall, whose horse had received two balls, then retired to resume his
position on the right of his division, but it had already retreated.
Among the wounded in this battle were La Fayette and Woodford. The enemy
passed the night on the field of battle. On the twenty-sixth the British
entered Philadelphia.