American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1823-11-25
BARON DE STEUBEN.
From Thatcher's JournlL


him tn, privilege oil command in the line accord rs
TO his rank, and at one period, he was commands
of separate detachment in Virginia, TO oppose tn
ravages OF the enemy in that quarter. II was VIII
great difficulty that men could be procured Tor th'
service every man was considered as acquisition
The baron was too honest to suffer an imposition t
be practised on the public. A regiment had beef
collected, and was paradcd and on the point 9
marching, when well looking man on horseback
and as il appeared his servant on another, rode VI
and informed the baron, that he had brough; hin
a recruit /" | thank you Sir" SAID the baron
4" with all my heart you have arrived in hspp
monet, where is your man, colonel ~ for he was
colonel in the mlliiia-Here, sir, ordering his bo
to dismount. The baron's countenance changed
his aids saw and feared the approaching storm.
sergeant was ordered to measure the lad, who's
shoes when off discovered something by which hi
stature had been increased. The baron pstting tn
/ child's head with his hand trembling with rage
asked him how old he was1 He was very young
quite a child "Sir.'' said he to the militia colone
g you must have supposed me to be rascal" on
no, Baron, did not. "Then. sir, suppose you t
be rascal, and an infamous rascal thus to atemr
to cheat your country. Sergeant, take off this fe
lows spurs, and place him in the ranks, that we ma
have man to serve instead of an infant whom b
would basely have made his substitute Go m
make my compliments, and say, her husband ha
gone 10 fight for the freedom Of his country, as al
honest man should do, and instantly ordered
platoons! tn the right wheel forward march
Colonel Gaskng, who commanded the regiment
fearing the consequences, alter marching some DIS
lance, allowed the man to escape, who lmmediate
made application to the civil authority for edess-
but governor Jefferson, Mr.. Madison and 9th RS
not doubling the purity of the haron's motive, AM
fully approaching his zea,prevented any disagreed
bic results attending this high handed exertion o
military power.
Gen. Washingto'. had high esteem for the bar
| N, and was fully sensible OF his worth and merits
On all proper occasions Congress was urged IN HI
behalf, and from time to time he received of money
good and bad, sums which some narrow conrao tie,
men thought much too large, though he proved sa
Itistactorlys that he had gwen up a saIay f 5OOt
and eighty guIneas year in Europe. But wha
sums or how much could have been enough for on,
who searched around Tor worthy objects, who's
wants may be relieved. Never did review or in
spection pass without rewards liz money, to soldier
y hose arms were in the highest order. Never wa
his table untitled with guests, il furnished with pro
visions Officers of rank, men most prominent 70
knowledge and attention to their duty marked
for invitaiion-but the gentlemen of his family
desired to complete the list with others of inferior
grade poor fellows, said he, ct hey have field OF
6cers stomachs without their ralions.'
The baron was as rough as the ocean in storm
when great faults were committed-but If in a sud
den gust Of passion, he had injured, the redress wa
ample | recolect, that al review near Morris
town, lieutenant Gibbon, brave and good officer
arrested on the spot, and ordered into the rear for
fault which another had committed. At proper
moment the commander Of the regiment came for
ward and informed the baron Of MIR. Gibbons in
nocence. OF his WORTH and Of his acute feelings un
der this unmerited disgrace. Desire lieutenan
Gibbon to come TO the front, colonel" Sir salC
the baron, 10 the young gentleman the fault whicl
was made, by throwing the line into confusion
might IN the presence Of the enemy, have been fatal
arrested you as its supposed author, but hav,
reason 10 believe that | was mistaken and that il
this instance you we're blameless-I ask your par
ton-return to your commando would not dea
unjusly by any, much less by one whose character
as an officer is so espectabe' All this passed will
the barons hat off, the rain pouring on his venera.
bic head Do you think there was an officer oil
soldier, who saw II unmoved by affection and respect
Not one'
At the DISARMAMENT of the revolutionary army
when inmates OF the same tent, or hut, for sever
long years, we're separating, and probably forever
grasping each others hands in silent agony, | saw
the baron's strong endeavouIs TO throw some ray o.
sunshine, on the gloom, TO mix some drop of cor.
dial with the painful draught. To go, they knew
not whitehall recollection to thrive by civil oc
cupations Iostor to The youthful never known. Their
hard earned military knowledge worse than useless
and with their nadge Of brotherhond, mark at which
to point the finger of suspiclon-gnoble, vile sus
piCion to be csat cut on worldloDg since BY them
rgotten-severetl from friends, and al the 10Y,
and griefs which soldiers feel Griefs, while hope
remained-when shared by numbers, almost Joys
TO so in silence and alone, and poor and hopeless.
it was too hard On that sad day how many
hearts were wrung ! saw il all nor will the seen.
be ever blurred OF oted from my view To sterr
old officer lietenant colonel Cochran from III,
Green Mountans,~ no had me, danger and difficult,
in almost every step, from his youth, and from whose