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. The best ark of a state's safety is always to be found in knowledge and love of country. This truth was never more fully illustrated than by the Danbury incursion. British historians admit that the retreat was hazardous. Officers of the invading army can-didly acknowledged, both then and afterward, that fortune had come to their aid in the hour of peril, and the impression left upon the Royal commanders was such that no hostile force, at any subsequent period of the war, ever ventured into the interior of the State, three miles from navigation.

This truth was never more fully illustrated than by the Danbury incursion. British historians admit that the retreat was hazardous. Officers of the invading army can-didly acknowledged, both then and afterward, that fortune had come to their aid in the hour of peril, and the impression left upon the Royal commanders was such that no hostile force, at any subsequent period of the war, ever ventured into the interior of the State, three miles from navigation.