would be attempted than merely to reconnoitre the enemy, and restrain plundering parties, he showed no inclination to assert his claim.  Unintentionally promoting the private wishes of General Washington, that the command should be given to an officer whose view of the service comported more with his own, Lee yielded this important tour of duty to Lafayette.  The orders given to this general were, to proceed immediately with the detachment; and, after forming a junction with General Scott, and taking command of the troops on the lines, to gain the enemy’s left flank and rear; give him every practicable annoyance; and attack by detachment, or with his whole force, as the occasion might require.

These dispositions and orders could scarcely fail to bring on an engagement.  Wayne had openly supported that measure; and Lafayette, though against seeking a general action, had been in favour of a partial one.  Of consequence, should any proper occasion offer, he would certainly attack with his whole force, which would as certainly produce such a state of things as would render it proper to support him with the whole army.

[Sidenote:  June 26.]

Immediately after the march of this detachment, General Washington moved to Cranberry, that he might be in readiness to support his front division.

The intense heat of the weather; a heavy storm; and a temporary want of provisions, prevented the army from continuing its march that day.  The advanced corps had pressed forward, and taken a position about five miles in rear of the British army, with the intention of attacking it next morning on its march.  Thinking this corps too remote to be supported in case of action, General Washington ordered the Marquis to file off by his left towards Englishtown.  These orders were executed early in the morning of the twenty-seventh.

[Sidenote:  June 27.]

Lafayette had scarcely taken command of the advanced party, when General Lee began to regret having yielded it to him.  He perceived that, in the opinion of all the general officers, great importance was attached to it, and that his reputation was in danger of being impaired by connecting his strenuous opposition to even a partial action, with his declining the command of a very strong detachment, which, it was believed, would engage the rear of the enemy.  He therefore solicited earnestly for the command he had before declined.

To relieve the feelings of Lee, without wounding those of Lafayette, General Washington detached him with two additional brigades to Englishtown, to support the Marquis.  He would, of course, have the direction of the whole front division, which would now amount to five thousand continental troops; but it was expressly stipulated, that if any enterprise had been already formed by Lafayette, it should be carried into execution, as if the commanding officer had not been changed.  Lee acceded to this condition; and, with two additional brigades, joined the front division of the army, encamped at Englishtown.  The rear division also moved forward, and encamped about three miles in his rear.  Morgan’s corps still hovered on the right flank of the British, and General Dickenson on their left.