After the action was over he spoke of the Continental troops and most of the volunteers in laudatory terms, but said of the militia that he hoped never again to see them in the field. When, however, the first feelings of disappointment had subsided, he admitted the injustice of his censure. He well knew that the best trained soldiers the world has seen, have sometimes suffered defeat from panic, and that it must needs be unreasonable to expect from the peaceful husbandman, who for the first time faces the enemy, that steadiness which the veteran soldier cannot always command. In his after-life, Arnold often alluded to the lessons he had learned from the Danbury invasion. Four years subsequently, when the sun of his glories had gone down in clouds and darkness, and lamentable defection had made his name a synonym for traitor, he com-manded the British armament which entered Virginia and took possession of Richmond. He had not been long at this place, when for the purpose of preserving communication with the English fleet, he suddenly gave orders for a return to Westover, from whence he had marched. One of his offi-cers earnestly solicited him to postpone his retreat, at least for a half day, in consequence of the recent hard service and fatigued state of the celebrated corps of light troops, called the Queen's Rangers. His answer was a prompt refusal couched in these impressive words:

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"I feel sensibly how reasonable would be your request under ordinary circumstances, but prudence commands me upon the present occasion to retire instantly. If General Tryon had marched from Danbury two hours sooner he would have met with no opposition. Had he remained six hours later, his forces would never have regained their ship-ping." During the advance upon Danbury, and the retreat that ensued, Governor Brown's corps in common with the other native volunteers, rendered the most important services to the enemy.