Signed Alex.  SCAMMELL, Adj.  Gen.

Camp Valley Forge, May 23d, 1778.

Dear Captain,—­I am pleased to hear you are still doing something to distinguish yourself in the eyes of your country.  I have the pleasure to inform you that your conduct with the Marquis has been very pleasing to his Excellency and the whole army.

I am your obedient servant,

Charles Scott, Brig.  Gen. and officer of the day.]

[Footnote 4:  The danger with which this detachment was threatened, was perceived from the camp at Valley Forge, soon after it had been communicated to Lafayette.  Alarm-guns were fired to announce it to him, and the whole army was put under arms, to act as circumstances might require.  It has been erroneously stated that General Washington was unapprised of this movement of the British army until its object was defeated.  The author was in camp at the time, saw the Commander-in-chief, accompanied by his aids and some of the general officers ride, soon after sun-rise, to the summit of the hill on the side of which the huts were constructed, and look anxiously towards the scene of action through a glass.  He witnessed too the joy with which they returned after the detachment had crossed the Schuylkill.]

Thus surrounded with danger, Lafayette took with promptitude and decision the only course which could preserve him.  He instantly put his troops in motion, and passed over at Matron’s ford, which was rather nearer to General Grant, than to himself, without being intercepted by that officer, or sustaining a greater loss than nine men.

General Grant, who reached the ground lately occupied by Lafayette soon after it was abandoned, followed his rear, and appeared at the ford just after the Americans had crossed it; but, finding them advantageously posted, did not choose to attack them; and the whole army returned to Philadelphia, having effected nothing.

He did not escape censure for having allowed the great advantage he had acquired, to slip through his hands unused.  He might with the utmost certainty have reached Matron’s ford before the Marquis, and have cut off the only retreat which remained for him.  But the same skill and address were not displayed in executing this plan as in forming it.[5]

[Footnote 5:  It has been said that his troops were excessively fatigued by a march of upwards of twenty miles, and that he waited, confident that the Marquis could not escape him, for information that Gray had reached his position.]

In the statement of this affair made by General Lafayette, he represents himself to have advanced the head of a column towards Grant, as if to attack him, while the rear filed off rapidly towards the Schuylkill.  This movement gained ground even for the front, which, while it advanced towards the enemy, also approached the river, and at the same time induced General Grant to halt, in order to prepare for battle.