In consequence of some severe strictures made by General Lee upon the testimony made by Wayne upon that officer's trial, a correspondence passed between them, which reflected much credit upon both. It is the only instance (and it is a proof not only of Wayne's amiable disposition, but of the respect entertained for him by all), in the space of his military career, in which conduct was manifested towards him, by any, that he felt bound to regard as an insult, or to resent as such.
Principally by the exertions of General Wayne, the Pennsylvania line were, after the campaign, com fortably quartered in their huts; and he then surren dered his command to General St. Clair, being called by business to the assembling of the Legisla ture of his native state. Being anxious to return to active business, he requested from General Washington a situation in the light corps, if the arrangement could be made without injury to the service; and Washington, as soon as such a corps was organized, availed himself with alacrity of the tender of General Wayne's services.
The campaign of 1779 opened under gloomy aus pices. The winter had passed without the proper preparations on the part of government for a con tinuance of the war. The British commenced their destructive predatory excursions in the south ern and eastern states. It, however, was destined not to close 'conferring on General Wayne the brightest wreath of glory he had ever won. The British commander, Clinton, in pursuance of an enlarged plan of operations, moved up the Hud son with a considerable force, and made himself master, among other fortresses, of the important position called " Stony Point." It was highly im portant to the American cause that this strong fortress should be recaptured, and the execution of the important design was entrusted to the bravery and skill of Wayne. Most nobly were the wishes of all his friends fulfilled.
The situation of that post is probably familiar to all. It is a high, rocky position on the left bank of the Hudson, below West Point, of a steep and rugged ascent; and garrisoned, as it was, by 600 chosen men of the British army, under the command of a distinguished officer, it was deemed by their leader almost impregnable. Several breastworks and strong batteries were advanced in front of the principal work, and two rows of abhatis were placed about midway up the ascent.
Several vessels of war were also stationed in the river, and commanded, in some measure, the ground at the foot of the hill.
Having disciplined his gallant little corps, and equipped them in the handsomest possible manner, between twelve and one o'clock of the morning of the 16th July 1779, Wayne advanced to the assault. Our limits will not permit a detailed account of this glorious achievement. Wayne was wounded in the head with a musket-ball in ascending the hill; he instantly fell, but as quickly rose on one knee, and immediately exclaimed—" forward, my brave fellows, forward;" then, in a suppressed voice, addressing his aids," assist me—if mortally wound ed I will die in the fort," and supported by them (Major Fishbourne and Mr. Archer) he entered the works among the foremost of the gallant troops. The whole garrison, cannon and stores were cap tured, with very inconsiderable loss on the part of the assailants. The congratulations he received from all sides, and the honours conferred by con gress and the legislature of his native state, it would be impossible to detail. It is, however, a pleasure to insert the testimony of a most capable judge, and the more gratifying, as an unfortunate mis understanding, which has been before alluded to, had occurred between the parties. General Charles Lee wrote thus to him:—" 1 do most sincerely de clare, that your action in the assault of Stony Point, is not only the most brilliant, in my opinion, through the whole course of the war, on either side, but that it is one of the most brilliant I am acquainted with in history; the assault of Schweid nitz, by Marshal Laudun, I think inferior to it." The conduct of General Wayne, throughout the trying scenes that arose from the famous mutiny of the Pennsylvania line, was marked by gallantry on the one hand, and on the other by a proper regard to the sufferings of the troops. That mutiny, it is known, arose from the extreme suffer ings and privations which the soldiers underwent, from the total absence of common necessaries. Wayne was very instrumental in bringing about a comparatively peaceable adjustment of a revolt which threatened at one time the most serious con sequences to the peace of the country.