ngton to seize all provisions which he could
within seventy miles of Valley Forge; and such was his extremity, that
he was compelled, at least on one occasion, to avail himself of this
authority, though repugnant to his feelings. But this only afforded a
temporary relief, and the army was, towards the close of the winter,
on the very verge of total starvation. Washington stated to congress
at this period, that there was not a single head of cattle in the camp;
that he had only twenty-five barrels of flour; and that there were 3000
men unfit for duty, being bare-footed and naked, besides numbers who
were confined by sickness in the hospitals and farmhouses. But even then
congress was slow in affording relief, and enabling the army to
make preparations for the ensuing campaign. Yet, sustained by hope,
Washington and his army preserved their fortitude, and resolved to try
once more their fortune on the field of battle.

[Illustration: 109.jpg GENERAL BURGOYNE ADDRESSING THE INDIANS]

EXPEDITION AND CAPTURE OF BURGOYNE.

Perhaps one cause which sustained the spirits of Washington and his
troops in Valley Forge may be found in the success which had attended
the American arms in the North. A plan had been formed by the British
government to send an army by the Canadian Lakes to Hudson's River, for
the purpose of cutting off all communication between the northern and
the southern colonies. For parliamentary reasons ministers thought
proper to take the command from General Carleton, who had re-established
our supremacy on these lakes, and to confer it on General Burgoyne. The
plans which Burgoyne had to follow in his expedition were minutely and
absolutely laid down by the ministry, they having concocted them from
inaccurate maps and uncertain and contradictory reports. Nothing,
however, was wanting to promote the success of the undertaking.
Burgoyne's force amounted to 7,200 men, rank and file, exclusive of the
corps of artillery, and vast quantities of warlike stores were furnished
for the use of those Canadians who might enter the British service.
French Canadians, to the number of two or three thousand, joined
Burgoyne; and as that general had been authorised to accept the services
of the fierce Indians, several of those tribes willingly took up the
hatchet against the Americans. The first thing Burgoyne was to do, was
to take Ticonderago; and his preparations being made, he set out from
Fort St, John, on the Sorel,