CHAPTER    VI,

AID-DB-OAMP   TO   GENERAL   PUTNAM.
ThkEetebat feom Long Island—Btiee saves a Beigade — His apfaie •vtith Miss

MONCBIEFFE — HbS NAEEATIVE.

It was the fortune of Major Burr, while serving as aid to
General Putnam, to save a frightened brigade, and to win a
virgin heart.

During the disastrous days upon Long Island which pre¬
ceded the famous retreat of the American army, General Put¬
nam was in command, and his aid-de-camp was in the thick of
events. To reach the scene of action, and to begin an accu¬
rate survey of it, were simultaneous occurrences Avith that
intelligent young soldier. He rode about the American camp,
and visited every post and out-post. He informed himself of
the positions and strength of the enemy. He discoA^ered that
the American troops had as yet no idea of standing against
the British in open fight; that Bunker Hill was still their ideal
of a battle, and breast-works their only reliance. His report
to the general was unfavorable in the extreme, and he Avas
more decided than ever in the opinion that General Washing¬
ton's true plan was, by retreating from the coast, to draw the
British army away from their ships, which were an immense
support to them, both morally and otherwise. He was utterly
opposed to a general action, for the reason that a large pro¬
portion of the new troops, he was certain, would not stand
more than one volley. When the American army crossed the
East river, in the presence of the enemy, he was engaged
during the whole night on the Brooklyn side, where his cool¬
ness and activity made a lasting impression upon the mind of
General McDougal, who superintended the embarkation. In
later campaigns. Burr served under that general, who showed