Clear the way." Upon this, he brandished his sword right and left over his head, and striking spurs into his horse, galloped off at speed. His well known person and character, and the cool volubility with which his threats were poured forth, confounded and discon-certed his antagonists so much, that they allowed him to pass unmolested, and when, having regained presence of mind, they attempted pursuit, it was found he had gone too far to be readily overtaken. In excursions below, particularly toward the close of the war, he often went down, the leader of the American detach-ment; and when acting only as guide, if his party encountered

94 THE MCDONALD PAPERS unexpected difficulties that endangered its safety, the officer previously in command was superseded by general consent, and Oakley was chosen in his stead to conduct the retreat, in which he was invariably successful. Upon one of these occa-sions, when closely pursued by a large body of refugees, he did not extricate his party until he had crossed the Bronx at the head of his followers, nine different times. Associating constantly, while the French Army lay in Westchester, with the gentlemen belonging to Rochambeau's staff, he took them often, when not on duty, to visit his rela-tions and friends. These young soldiers, the most elegant and accomplished of the European nobility, although from early life accustomed to the splendor and gaiety of Versailles and Paris, on their arrival in America, had at once accommo-dated themselves to the manners of the country, and over-coming ancient prejudices by urbanity and address, had acquired general popularity with the inhabitants. They have now all passed away, but among them were those whose celebrity will justify a bare mention of them here, and whose disinterested services, gratitude requires us forever to remem-ber and acknowledge.