The promptness with which the people of Connecticut stood to their arms during Tryon's incursion of the year 1777 must in after ages stand out in bold relief, from the history of that well-ordered and wise Commonwealth, who in arming her children for the battle of life, has always clothed them with morality as with a coat of mail and placed in each right hand the sword of intelligence. No instance can probably be found in the annals of modern nations, where in the defence of their altars and firesides, the inhabitants of an invaded country, have rallied with more readiness and skill. To estimate properly the opposition offered to the King's troops upon this occasion many circumstances must be taken into the account. The resistance proceeded for the most part from inexperienced husbandmen, who in general were either badly or insufficiently armed. The inroad itself was of only three full days' dura-tion. It happened at an early period of the revolutionary struggle, before the whole population had become inured, as

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they afterwards were, to war. The invaders during the whole time and upon almost every point of attack, were superior in numbers. Among the various officers on the ground, no one, after the fall of Wooster, was universally recognized as entitled to the chief command. The soldiers of Connecticut were impelled by patriotic ardor directed by native sagacity. They had confidence it is true in Arnold and in general were willing to follow a leader of his renown. No considerations but these gave any unity to the operations of the various militia and independent volunteer companies of which the pursuing forces were almost wholly composed. It must not be forgotten, moreover, that the antagonist forces were of the most select description, and that the expe-dition itself throughout its whole course, was conducted by the Royal commanders with singular ability.