Francis Glass, Washingtonii Vita
J.N. Reynolds, Ed.

1 Ordinum ductores. “ The captains; ” literally, the leaders of the ranks.

2 Ex quo, “ since, ” (tempore being understood as an antecedent to quo.）

3 Reportata, “ was gained; ” for reportare victoriam is to gain a victory.

4 Tessera Leitch fuit, “ the watchword was Leitch; ” in order to animate the troops by the noble example of Major Leitch of Virginia, who gallantly fell at the head of his command. Tessera comes from the Greek cardinal adjective, signifying four, from its shape.

5 Virili, (scilicet, parte,) “ according to their utmost ability, ” or power.

6 Comitatu, &c., “ the county of West-Chester; ” from Cestria, West-Chester.

7 Copiis, “ with all his forces; ” he declined a general action.

8 Frustratum est, “ was frustrated. ” Taken passively.

9 Fluvium, the North River separating Jersey from New-York.

10 Legionis tribuno. Colonel Magaw, the commanding officer of Fort Washington, on York Island, was certainly censurable in surrendering that post; as, by a gallant defence, it was tenable against any force which the British could well detach, at that time, against it.

11 Vacuandi, &c., “ was especially repugnant to the plan of evacuating and retreating, adopted, at that time, by Washington. ”

12 Aggerem Lee. “ Fort Lee, ” sitnated on the Jersey shore.

13 Comes, &c. An earl or count; so called because they accompanied the kings on their military expeditions.

14 Pedem, &c., “ retreated. ”

15 Isti, (scilicet, loco,) “ to that (place). ”

16 The Hackensack and Passaic, two rivers of New-Jersey.

17 Novam Arcam, “ Newark, ” in New-Jersey.

18 Brunsvicum, “ Brunswick, ” or, as it is sometimes called, New-Brunswick, also in Jersey.

19 Dominus Stirling, “ Lord Stirling, ” a brave officer in the American service.

20 Gradum sistere, “ to make a stand; ” to halt. It seems to have been the intention of Washington, at this period, to hazard an action, if warranted by circumstances.

21 Pontesque, &c., “ and the bridges on the roads leading to the opposite shores ” (of Jersey and Pennsylvania.)

22 Acies prima, “ their van. ”

23 Unde, &c., “ whence he might be first attacked. ”

24 Putnam, &c. Meanwhile Putnam, an American general, was sent by Washington, the commander (of the forces,) who should take charge of (to preside over) the defences and ramparts, that were to be made from the Schuylkill as far as the river Delaware.

25 Temere, “ at random, ” “ hastily. ”

26 Germanicum, “ Germantown, ” distant about five miles from Philadelphia. This was selected by Washington as a suitable place of rendezvous, in the event of the ability of the British to cross the river, and gain possession of the American encampment.

27 Comitatus inferiores, “ the lower counties. ”

28 At, &c., “ but if fortune shall envy us. ”

29 Utque, &c., “ and that they would go on to serve in war. ”

30 Prœstilit. “ Showed, ” or “ exhibited. ”

31 Carentem, “ wanting, ” “ destitute. ” We consider this participle as agreeing with statum in the accusative; but, perhaps, it might with some propriety be placed in the genitive, to agree with exercitus.

32 Hasce res, &c. “ He reminded Congress of (as to) these matters. ” A mode of expression, in imitation of the Greeks, the accusative of the thing being governed by a preposition implied.