Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1843-03-07

tent would contain from forty TO fifty persons the
smaller, or sleeping tent, had an inner chamber.
where, on a hard cOl-bed, the Chief reposed.-
There IS a most interesting Renaissance attached
to the sleeping tent The Headquarters. even
during the summer season, was located, in great
majority OF instances, in private dwellings, the
sleeping ten, being pitched in the yard or very
near AT hand. Within its venerable folds, Wash.
ngton was in the habit Of seeking privacy and Sc.
cluson, where he could commune with himself.
and where he wrote the most memorable OF his
dispatches in the Revolutionary War He would
remain in the retirement Of the sleeping tent some.
times for hours, giving orders TO the officer Of his
guard that he should on no account be disturbed,
save on the arrival Of an important express. The
objects OF his seclusion being accomplished the
Chief would appear at the canvass door of the
marquee with dispatches in his hand, giving
which to his Secretary to copy and transmit, he
would either mount his charger for tour of in-
spoc,ion, or return 10 the Headquarters and enjoy
social converse with his officers
The marques were made in Third street Phil
| ndelphia, under the direction of Captain Moulder,
OF the artillery, and were first pitched on the
Heights of Dorchester, August, l775.
The Life.Guard was attached 10 the Headquar-
tiers from the time OF its formation till the end of
the war. This chosen corps of picked men, with
Gibbs and Coiax, and their gallant officers, was
| always IN the finest order, proud of It's being at
tachcd TO the person Of the Chief and appearing
smar, and soldiery even in the worst times
In our memoirs of the Pater Pa,rin, we shall
continue 10 introduce some mention OF the disin-
guished patriots statesmen, and soldiers who en-
joycd his intimacy and were dear to his affections
High on this honored list appears in bold relief
the name of Jonathan Trumbull, the patriotic
Governor Of Connecticut during the whole of the
.l..t.x Il
times in which he hourished and such one as
revolution alone seems capable of producing
Wise to conceive and energetic TO execute, his
prudence cqualled his courage for the par, he
destined 10 bear in those momentous concerns
that eventuated in tho independence ofhis country,
yet did he bear his high Offices so meekly that he
was deservedly beloved for the mldness of his
private virtues as he admired for the stern, un-
yielding integrity with which he discharged his
public duties. 1t is enough for his fame, or his
epi,aph that he was a man after Washngton's
own heart
When the news arrived in Connecticut of the
battle of Lexington, Putnam who was ploughng
in his field instantly repaired to the Governor for
orders. &C.," said Trumbull, 'to the scene of
action" But, my clothes GovernorW oh
mover rnnj your rls.l.~s," .e..,:...-I T."."L~ii
'your military experience will be of service to
your countrymen" But my men, Governor
what shall do about my men2" ooh, never
mind your men, continued the man for the times,
"Ill send your men after you" Putnam hurried
to Cambridge.
On, of the most urgent appeals for assistance
that ever ANIMATED from the American Headquar-
tiers was contained in despatch to the Governor
of Connecticut 1t was dated from the camp near
the North river, in the letter years Of the war
Governor Trumbull was alone in his room of
bnsiposs on he tahla were variOuS letters and
dispatches. some just opened and others sealed for
immediate transmission: a cockedhat, Of the cut
and fashion of the days Of George III, the Cover
nor's sole insignia Of office was also on the table,
while the chief magistrate himself was busly en-
gagged in writing.
An Adde-camp Of the Commander-in-chief
was introduced much worn and travel stained
from the haste Of his journey. The Governor
rose, and, while cordially welcoming Colonel
inquired after the health of his Excelency, and
what news from the army. The Aid-de-eamp re-
piled that the General was well, and the news
| from the army Of very sombre character, and
| presented letter. The letter was very short 1t
contained an apology from Washington for hav-
ing applied for assistance where it had been so
often and so literally rendered before, but contin-
ued that the situation ofthe army was critical in
the extreme the country adjacent 70 the camp be-
ing completely exhausted, as well by the enemys
as by his own foraging parties; and concluded by
lamenting that. unless supplies could be speedily
obtained, he should be obliged to abandon his po-
sitiou and fall back INFO the interior TO obtain the
necessary subsistence for his troops
The Governor pondered for a moment upon
the contents Of the letter. then rising, and cordial
| ly graspng the Colonel by the hand, observed,
in firm yet cheerful tone, when you return
10 camp bear with you my love and duty to his
1 Excellency, and say to him that brave old Con-
rec,icuL patriotic Connecticut is bot quite exhaus-
ted, bu, for every barrel Of provisions she has
furnished to the Of Liberty, she viii furnish
another and yet another, to the same glorious
cause; say further, tina, on such day our teams
may be looked for on the bank ofthe North Rive"
The Ad1ecamp departed rejoiring.
And now the patriot became every inch" the
I executive officer From bis intimate acqualn.
lance with the resources Of his native State, he
knew exactly here those resources were TO be
Obtained, and their facilities for transportation, for
with him every thing was done by method and
! regularity. Hi. orders few in all directions
J His orders were obcyed.
% Meantime the return Of the Aildecamp "a
Headquarters with intelligence Of the promised
supplies diiused a general gadness throughout
} the army When the expected day arrived, many
an ANXIOUS eye was turned 10 the road leading from
the Eastward 10 the landing on the North River
{ dus, is seen in the distance and presently arc
7 heard the cries OF the transfers, urging then