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

1 Lucescebat, “ it was daylight; ” an impersonal verb.

2 Illi, “ they, ” i. e. the enemy.

3 Conductitiis, “ hired, ” or “ mercenary, ” alluding to the Hessians, who were objects of infinitely more hatred to the Americans, than the British.

4 Colonis, “ colonists; ” it is here taken in its primary original meaning; it has, however, other acceptations.

5 Urbem, “ into the city, ” i. e. Philadelphia.

6 Contuberniis, “ soldiers' quarters; ” in which sense it is taken by Cæsar, “ Depositis in contubernio armis, vallum relinquebant. ”

7 Instar, “ like, ” or “ as large as. ” This word, erroneously called by some an adverb, is, in reality, a noun substantive indeclinable, and is always found in the accusative case, the preposition ad being understood.

8 Duce, &c., “ Earl Cornwallis (existente) being leader. ”

9 Eis, (manipulis nempe,) “ the detachments. ”

10 Imperator iste, “ that commander, ” (i. e. Cornwallis.)

11 Impedimenta, “ baggage ” of an army; from the active verb impedio, because the conveyance of baggage generally retards celerity, or rapid movements: the verb impedio, is compounded of the preposition in and pes, a foot.

12 Prœfectorum, &c., “ a military council of his officers being then held. ”

13 Oppresserat, “ would have defeated three British regiments, unless, ” &c. Oppresserat is here put for oppressisset.

14 Illico, “ forthwith, ” a contraction of in and loco.

15 Restiterunt, “ resisted, ” or made a stand; the perfect tense of resisto; now, resisto is compounded of the inseparable preposition re, again, and sisto, i. e. stare facio.

16 Prœstiterunt, &c. “ And showed as much valor as, ” &c.

17 Ferre, ferre prœ sese, “ to show or exhibit, ” (literally, to bear or carry before oneself.)

18 Tribunus, &c., “ an English colonel. ”

19 Perrexêre, “ proceeded, ” the perfect tense of pergo.

20 Nisu, “ effort, ” attempt, or endeavor; a verbal noun of the fourth declension, from the deponent verb nitor.

21 Firmis, &c., “ strong garrisons being left in all the places, ” &c.

22 Resque gestœ, “ the military operations, ” exploits, achievements.

23 Novo, &c., “ New-York excepted, ” that is, except the capture of that city by the British.