They, too, were in the act of following him across the fence, when he was struck by a grape shot. Dangerously wounded in the body, he fell on the northwesterly side of the enclos-ure. The volunteers who had hitherto pressed forward with intrepidity, now paused in discouragement, from the mis-hap of their commanding officer, but again took post behind the wall and renewed their fire. Arnold's column was com-ing up to their support, and all they wanted was a leader in whom they reposed confidence. It was just at this juncture that Erskine led his men against the volunteers. While the result of the hostile movement was yet doubtful, there occurred in the enemy's favor, one of those unexpected incidents, in which destiny seems to stretch forth her hand for the purpose of baffling probability. Among the Provincial officers that accompanied the expedition, there was one who claimed consanguinity with the exiled dynasty of Great Britain. This was Major Ferdinand Smith Stuart,

120 THE MCDONALD PAPERS

a grandson of the unfortunate Duke of Monmouth. A native of Scotland he had been educated a physician and subsequently settled in Virginia. When the revolutionary troubles commenced, the hereditary hatred of the Stuart did not prevent him from taking sides with the house of Han- over, and he joined one of the regiments raised in America for the service of the crown. He was in the front rank of Erskine's column as it moved forward. Of an impetuous constitution, he addressed, as they came to the edge of the hill, some British and American volunteers from New York, who eager for distinction, were pressing onward in the fore- most ranks. Calling upon them to follow him, he rushed forward upon Lamb's volunteers sword in hand, with loud shouts, at the head of about twenty officers and men.