STORIES OF REVOLUTIONARY WAR SOLDIERS

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Philip Schuyler " Philip Schuyler was born in New England in 1732. He was commissioned a Major General and had no superior in energy, vigilance and courage. For some time previous to the approach of Burgoyne he ably discharged the multifarious duties of the northern command. When that proud General advanced he found traces of Schuyler's industry at every point and his scouts in all directions. Bridges were demolished, and the roads blocked with trees; and the navigation of Wood creek deranged, and supplies removed and his Army kept in constant alarm by the light troops of Schuyler who laid the foundation of the victory that virtually saved our Independence. This opinion was often expressed by a revered uncle of mine who was with Schuyler during all his services in the north. At the very time this General was prepared to snatch the laurels of victory from Burgoyne's brow and place them on his own and Gates superseded him. He loved his country too well to be governed by the strict rules of military etiquette at that momentous point of time. He surrendered the command to him with all the papers and information he had acquired, with these burning remarks: "I have done all that could be done, as far as the means were in my power, to injure the enemy and to inspire confidence in the soldiers of our Army and I flatter myself with some success, but the palm of victory is denied me and it is left to you, General, to reap the fruits of my labor. I will not fail to second your views and my devotion to my country will cause me, with alacrity, to obey your orders." This language would have been more terrible to me than a thousand crashing thunder bolts. It would have taken more than the laurels of Saratoga to heal the deep gashes my mind would have received from this keen sarcasm of the injured but patriotic and magnanimous Schuyler. A sarcastic remark from Schuyler to General Burgoyne when dining with Gates soon after the surrender is worthy of record. The British General had caused Schuyler's house to be reduced to ashes and attempted an apology which was interrupted by the other. " Make no excuses General. I feel myself more than compensated by the pleasure of meeting you at this table." General Schuyler was in all respects a first rate man. Jealously had put slander in motion against him which was the reason he was superseded. Investigation cleared away the fog from the minds of those in power but did not heal the wounds in his. He was subsequently a member of the Continental Congress and served 12 years in the United States Senate under the Federal Constitution. He died in 1804."

Source: The Sages and Heroes of the American Revolution by L. Carroll Judson