viii                  Preface.

           Fortunately the State had but little trouble within her own borders.

           There were some small depredations by the British in the lower

           counties, and some disturbances by Tories in Worcester, Somerset,

           Queen Anne's and Kent; but these, as well as a mutinous rising in

           Delaware, threatening the Stores at Charles Town, were easily dealt

           with. This exemption gave Maryland the opportunity of raising large

           supplies of bread-stuffs and provisions for the Continental army and for

           shipment to the West Indies. Readers of these pages who find so much

           more space devoted to purchases of flour, pork, bacon, osnaburgs,

           denims, powder and lead, than to accounts of military operations, should

           remember that it was in this way, quite as much as in the field, that

           independence was won.

            Clinton, profiting by Howe's example, avoided pitched battles, and

           undertook, an expedition, under Gen. Prevost and Col. Campbell, to

           invade the southern States. Savannah fell in December 1778, and all

           Georgia was soon reduced. Descents—mere plundering forays—were

           made on the Bay shores of Virginia, and fears arising that Baltimore

           would be the next point of attack, measures were taken to put that city

           in a state of defence. The enemy, however, made no attempt, but

           returned with their plunder to New York.

            The year 1779 was distinguished by the brilliant storming of Stony

           Point by Gen. Wayne on July 15, followed by the capture of the garrison

           at Paulus Hook, on the 19th, in both which actions the Marylanders took

           part.

            On October 9, the gallant Pulaski fell in an unsuccessful attempt to

           retake Savannah by a combined force of French and Americans.

            Erratum. On p. 45 (heading of letter) “Gov. Henry” should read

           “J. Henry.”