Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-06-29
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~ The following Introduction & sketch
bore giving it a place jim our columns from
tslength and hope that we should shortly
have no need for armies ; and, of course,
none for commanders, in whom lis evident-
y necessary that the greatest confidence be
reposed by the soldiery,--In this, however,
we have been mistaken, and find ourselves at
last compelled, in support of our just rights,
to resort to war.-And at such time, this
piece may not be unreasonable Ed. va.
-Grgus.
FROM 1RE INDEPENDENT CHRONICLE.
MAJOR GENERAL HENRY DEARBORN,
Commander in Chief Of the Northern .Hrmy.
Courage and alacrity in armies are prni-
cipallv inspired by confidence placed i'll the
commanders. However dangerous the pc.
sition If a corps may De in the field of bat
tie, if it is convinced the dangers encoun-
tered are for the general good of the army,
they will be endured not only with firm
ness but cheerfulness. Fhis truth obtains
with regard to the plans, arrangements and
operations of an army. The duty of a SOL
dier is peremptory; ne is not permitted to
enquire into It's expectancy, or>to doubt its
prnDriety: in order therefore that he may
perform it with alacrity, it is necessary that
he have unlimited confidence in the source
from which it flows.
To doubt in the hour Of danger is to be
destroyed. All consummate commanders
have made it principal object to gam the
confidence of their troops, and to restore it
whenever startled oy accident msfor
b,,, %a,ix,a CT. Of aIH nj
policy When Caesar, with a view TO sur
prise, advanced rapidly on Ariovistus, the
German Chief, his soldiers from accounts
OF the strength and ferocity of the Germans
became alarmed, and under various preten-
ccs muttered their resolution not to obey, If
ordered in so unprepared a state for service.
Cesar assembled them and informed them
he had understood tdas sorac of thcul had
disguised their fears under the difficulties
of the ways and the want of provisions
IS am not nozv to be told Gays he) what Is
due TO my trust, or that an army must be
subsisted. At precisely two in the morn
ing shall decamp; if followed with the
tenth legion al me-" His troops, humiiiat-
ed aud impatient to retrieve theirreputation,
advanced with confidence to victory.
The battles OF Trenton and PrIncetown
were not very import ant Ill their impression
on the enemy, but were OF essential conse-
quelcc, as they served 10 Illustrate the for
tituAe aud intrepidIty, and deveiope the re
sources OF the American commander.
AT crisis like the present. when the
determined and persevering hostility of a
foreign power Compels us once more to
reset to arms, in defence of life, liberty,
and properly, III is With sentiments of the
hiSaest satisfaction, we have observed so
judlcious and brilliant selection of Off
-r Cnr, md tl1aa D..
and none where confluence can be placed
with 10 nc assurance than in the Comnan-
der ia Chi-f The subjoined sketch of the
retsu iaiIary services, rendered by General
DearJor1, is imperfectly collected from his
brothers in arms:
When the British sent detachment to
destroy the military stores in the vicinity of
Lexington, Mr.. Dearborn, then young
gentleman in the study of medicine, resided
at Nottingham, New-Hampshire. Animal
ed by the patriotic resistance of the Amer
cans, informed of the battle by express, he
assembled the inhabitants, and observed
that the time had now arrived, when the
rights cf the American people must be vim
dicated by arms, or an odious despotism
would forever be rivetted upon them. The
militia had already gathered, and impressed
with these sentiments, company OF fifty
five men, armed and accoutred. paraded at
one o'clock # the next day after the Lex
inetpn battle Dcarbon advanced with them
with such rapidly, that they reached Cam-
bridge Common, distance of ifty miles,
in twenty hours. After remaining ut Cam
bridge sew raI days, there being no jnme-
date occasion for their services, they re
turned. be trborn was soon after commits
stoned captain in one Of the New-Hamp-
shire regiments under the command of Col
Stark, and such was his popularity, and the
confidence Of the people in his bravery ant
conduct, that in ten days from the time ht
received his Commission, nc enlisted full
company aud marched again to Cambridge
On nc no, mig OF the glorious seUcnteeUkL
oFJuHc Information was received AZ Mystic
IN Mediurd) where Dearborn was staff
onrd, that the British were preparing e
come out from Boston and storm the works
wb.rh had been thrown up on Breed Hill
th- rght before, BIZ the Americans. Til,
&C.. uent To- winch he was attached was m
metwfcly paraded and marched to Charles
toau neck. Dearboru's company COMPOSED
tbe e.,uk guard Of the regiment. Thej
crossed Inc neck under a calling FIRE from
the British men NJ war and fiuaUng bate
riss. and ha lug sus aimed some loss, arTiy
ed At fbe heirnts. The action soon com
menced and me Americans stood thei
ground. unli rleir ammunition was eSpend
ed. and the, coullno Longer beat of the Bri
fish lavonet v..7 the bu. ends OF their mus
Seta Ioo.,if.or- -lrried 4 iusee into the bat