But there is little grief for the slain when every one feels that he may lie with them to-morrow.  That night the army moved to a new position, and next morning offered battle; but the enemy were securing their object by safer means.  They pushed forward a strong body to turn the right of the British and surround them.  To prevent this, the army retreated in the night through torrents of rain, to Saratoga.  The sick and wounded were necessarily left behind.

Next morning, a party was seen throwing up entrenchments on the heights beyond the army; but a demonstration being made against them, they crossed the river, and joined a force on the other side.  A retreat to Fort George was attempted, and the artificers were sent forward to repair the bridges, and open the road; but the appearance of the enemy made it necessary to recall them.  The opposite bank of the river was covered with parties of the enemy, and the bateaux could no longer be effectually protected.  Some were taken; and among others, the vessel which contained the small remaining store of provisions.  This loss would have deprived the army of its last hope; but Mr. Pellew, with his sailors, attacked and recaptured the vessel.  To guard against such a calamity for the future, the provisions were landed.  General Burgoyne acknowledged this service in the following letter:—­

“DEAR SIR,—­It was with infinite pleasure that General Phillips and myself observed the gallantry and address with which you conducted your attack upon the provision-vessel in the hands of the enemy.  The gallantry of your little party was deserving of the success which attended it; and I send you my sincere thanks, together with those of the army, for the important service you have rendered them upon this occasion.

“JOHN BURGOYNE.

“N.B.—­The vessel contained 500 barrels of provisions, of which
article the army was in great want.”

A retreat to Fort Edward by a night march, the troops carrying their provisions on their backs, now offered the only hope of safety; but while preparations were being made for this, it was found that the enemy had effectually provided against it, by throwing up entrenchments opposite the fords, and securing the heights between Fort Edward and Fort George.  Secrecy was impossible, for the parties of the enemy were everywhere so numerous, that not a movement could be concealed.

Still hoping to be relieved from New York, the army, now reduced to 3,500 effective men, of whom not 2,000 were British, lingered in their camp, where they lay always under arms, with the grape and rifle shot of the enemy falling continually around them.  On the 13th they had only three days’ provision remaining.  A council of war was therefore held, to which General Burgoyne summoned all the principal officers.  Mr. Pellew attended, as commander of the brigade of seamen; and a more decisive testimony to his merits and services could not be afforded, than the unprecedented compliment of calling a midshipman, only twenty years of age, to sit in council with generals.