The New Yorkers, with their New Hampshire comrades, did magnificent work that day. The Hessian gunners, serving their artillery with the precision and

THE RAPIDS BELOW GLENS FALLS

effectiveness of well-trained veterans, were amazed to see the Americans advance without hesitation in the face of a rain of grape-shot. The grenadiers, unused to meeting opponents who could stand before them, found it impossible to meet this impetuous onslaught. The guns were taken and retaken, both sides fighting stubbornly, till at last the Americans drove their

Above Tide-Water 567

opponents from the ])osition, turning upon them their own artillery. Xo doubt a great deal of the valour and determination shown by the attaeking ]iart\' was due to the presence of Arnold, who, though without a command, owing to a recent ([uarrel with General Gates, yet took the lead to which his position as ranking officer in the field entitled him, and displaved such mad courage that one historian at least has gravely charged him with being intoxicated upon that occasion. In this connection, Irving very justly remarks that "Arnold needed only his own irritated pride and the smell of gunpowder to rouse him to acts of madness." While this action was in progress, in another part of the field General Frazer was trying to make a stand against Morgan and his sharpshooters, but received at last a mortal w^ound. His corps fell 1:)ack in confusion. Overcome at all points, Burgoyne made an effort to save his camix This and a subsequent effort to cross the ri\'er in the face of an American battery on the eastern shore, were ec[ually unsuccessful. He made repeated efforts to withdraw, only to find that the way was completely blocked in every direction, and at length, upon the 17th of October, articles of cajjitulation were signed and the great battle was finished.