The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1840-05-02

From the Ctsfis RecOAeciionS and Private
Memoirs ofMe Life and Character of
Washingfon.
The oommander'in chief (Washington)
having completed his arrangements for
bringing the enemy TO general action,
proceeded slowly towards Monmouth court
house, early on the morning of the twenty
eighth June.
In the council Of war, there were but
two.voices for risking an engagement
Cadwallader, gallant fellow, md ievot-
ed in his attachment to his Chief, and
Anthony Wsye, who always said aye,
when fighting was 10 be had upon any
terms
Washington certainly assumed great
responsibility in risking an engagement
contrary to the opinions Of a large majority
Of his generals. ard notwithstanding the
vast disparity of his forces, when compar-
led with those of his aGversary-the dispsr-
~ consisting more in the materials Of
which the respective armies were composed
than in their numerical estimates. But it
is to be remembered that the two principal
actions Of the preceding campaign, though
bravely contested, had resulted unfortu
nately. Since the close Of the campaign Of
77,an alliance had been formed with France
whose fleets and armies were hourly expec-
ted on our costs, while the demands Of the
people demands too, often loudly expressed,
were for battle.
Urged by these considerations, the A
merican Chief determined, happen what
would, to fight Sir Henry Clinton, so tina,
be should not evacuate Philadelphia, and
leach his strong hold in New York un-
Eched. Crossing the Delaware, the A
klcnn approached his formidable foe, who
uy ng in his superiority Of numbers, dis
'ciPpe,and ppeiniment,was leist rely wen
ding his way towards Staten Island, the
plaf ol embarkation for New Y ork.
All soldier, Washington was by nature
I The Eery soul of enterprise but, Fortunate
: lylf his fame and for his country, this dar-
ing bint was tempered by judgment and
| mttnce most happy in their character and
\ e0efs. And yet an ilustrious patriot and
attman of the revolution. and most ac
IN rom IiShed writer, Mr.. Jefferson. has said
Pat be PatriR was rather the Fabus than
I've hlarcellus Of war, his extreme caution
tlhig him better for the cool and methodi-
nj operations of siege, than for the daring
raegy Of surprise, or the close and stub
}orq conflict Of the field. Never was there
(ucff a misconception of the great soldiers
aHl bules. Did not this modern Fabius, in
ih' fery depth of winter, and alter over
cTnnng mighty obstacles, surprise his enc.
by Pi Trenton, and recall "ictory TO his
!, tuhlard when hope was almost sinking in
'Fsnair! Did lac not, by mastery man
ffs and mighty march, surprise his enc
RH Princeton, and add yet another laurel
lhe garland acquired by the capture Of
We Hessians! Did he not with an army
lily raised and defeated at Brandawine,
- wenly-lhree days thereafter, surprise
~ enemy al Germantown? And, though |
blory was denied him by course of cir
Flslances no human power could have
1trolled vet the boldness of the enterprise
g the success attending At in the onset,
Az'uced such confidence abroad in our
urces and courage as TO lead TO our alli-
9 with powerful nation
hid he not surprise the enemy at Mon
uth And although unloward events
we'd to cripple the operations Of the early
Of the day, vet ths setting sun shone
the battle Geld in the possession of
Americans the enemy rereatlng, and
dead and wounded left as trophies TO
yiciors.