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CHAPTER   YII.

HE   COMMANDS   A   REGIMENT.

A.PPOINTBD A LlEUTENANT-COLONBL — COMMANDS  A EeGIMENT — OaPTITEES A BeITISH

Picket — Fobms an Acquaintance with Mks. Theodosia Peevost — Commands
A Beigade at  the  Battle of  Monmouth — Anecdote.

Majoe Buee continued to serve as General Putnam's aid
for ten months after the retreat from Ncav York, and bore his
part in the toils and dangers of that dismal period. In the
spring of 1777 a new army was to be raised, but he had no
hopes of a regimental appointment in it. In March, he wrote
to his friend Ogden that he had not the least expectation of
promotion either in the line or on the staff, but as he was
" very happy in the esteem and entire confidence of his good
old general," he should be piqued at no neglect, unless partic¬
ularly pointed, or where silence Avould be Avant of spirit. It
was true, he said, his equals and even inferiors in rank had
left him; and assurances from those in power he had had, un¬
asked, in abundance; but of those he should never remind
them. We were not to be the judges of our own merit, and
he was content to contribute his mite in any station. From
this language we may infer that he thought himself an ill-used
aid-de-camp.

In July, 1777, while at Peekskill with General Putnam, he
was notified by General Washington of his promotion to the
rank of lieutenant-colonel. He Avas one of the youngest Avho
held that rank in the revolutionary army, or who has ever
held it in an army of the United States; yet he thought the
promotion unjustly tardy. In his letter of acknowledgment
to the commander-in-chief, he said he Avas truly sensible of the
honor done him, and should be studious to comport himself in