Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-03-17

town. The marques of the Commander in.
chief were pitched in The rear Of the grand bat
terry. just out Of the range of the enemy
shells. There were two marques attached Il
the Headquarters during all the campaigns.
The larger, or banquetng. tent, would contain
from forty to fifty persons the smaller, or sleep
ing tent, had an inner chamber, where, on
hard cot.bed, the Chief reposed. There is
most interesting Renaissance attached to the
sleeping tent. The Headquarters, even during
the summer season, were located, in great ma
jority of instances, in priva'e dwellings,, the
sleeping tent being pitched in the yard, or yer,
near at hand, Within its venerable folds.
WASHINGTON was IN habit Of seeking privacy
and secusion where he could commune with
himself, and where he wrote tbs most memora
BILE of his dispatches IN the Revolutionary war
lie would remain in the retirement of the sleep.
ing tent sometimes for hours, giving orders to
the officer Of his guard that he should on NJ
account be disturbed, save on the arrival Of al
Important express. The objects Of his seclusion
being accomplished the Chief would appear al
the canvass door of the marquee, with dispatch
ca in his hand, giving which to his Secretary to
copy and transmit, he would either mount his
charger for tour OF inspection, or return to the
Headquarters and enjoy social converse with
his officers.
The marques we're made in Third street.
Philadelphia, under the direction of CAPTAIN
MoULDER, of the artillery, and were first mitch.
ed on the Heights of Dorchester, in August.
l775.
!. The Life Guard was attached TO the Head
quarters from the time of its formation till the
end OF the war. This chosen crops of picked
,. men, with Gibbs and Colfax aud their gallant
ofhcers' was alwa"s in the finest order, proud of
I, its being attached TO the person of the Chief,
! and appearing smart and soderly, even in the
, worst times.
In our memoirs OF the Patcr Patrin. we shall
continue to introduce some mention of the dis.
tlnguIshed patriots, statesmen, and soldiers who
enjoyed his intimacy and were dear to his affec.
: tons. High on this honored list appears. in
bold relief, the name of Jonathan rrunbul, the
| patriotic Governor of Connecticut, during the
whole ofthe Revolution. He was, indeed, more
fitted for the times in which lie tlourlshed and
such one as revolution alone seems capable OF
. producing. Wise to conceive, and energetic
to execute, his prudence equalled his courage in
> the conspicuous part he was destinued to bear
4 in those momentous concerns that eventuatec
G in the Independence Of his country. yet did he
!. "bear his high officers so meekly" that he wa.
4 as deservedly beloved Tor the inildness of his
n private virtues as le was admired for the stern
unyedng integrity with which he discharged
his public duties 1t is enough for his fame, OF
his epi,aph, that he was aman after Washing.
tons own heart.
When the news arrived in Connecticut Of
n the battle of Lexington, Putnam, who was
r poughng in his field, instaa!y repaired to the
r. Governor for orders. "GN" said Trumbull,
9 $50 the scene of ac,on.'-"But my clothes.
=, Governor!' "Oh, never mnd your clotnes,"
~ continued Trumbull, "mll'aY experience will
be OF service to your coun'Ymcn." "Bu, my
G men, Governor; what shall | 10 about my men!"
v "Oh, never mind your men, continued the man
|, for the times, "pii send your fmen aier YOU"
Putnam hurried to Cambridge.
=, One of the most urgent appeals for assistance
that ever emanated from the American Head
quarters was contained in despatch TO the Gov
= ernor of Connecticut. II was dated from the
camp, near the North river. in the latter years
of the war.
e Governor Trumbu was alone in his room Of
= business; on the table were various letters and
dispatches, some just opened and others sealed
for immediate transmission a cooked. hat, OF
the cut and fashion Of the days Of George IL,
the Governors sole insignia OF office, was also
OIL the table, while the Chef Magistrate himself
was busily engaged in writing.
Q An ABIDE. camp Of the Conmander-n-c chief,
/. was introduced. much worn and ";ravcl stained,
= from the haste OF his journey The Governor
rose, and, while cordially welcoming Colonel
!, -, inquired after the health of his Excellen-
y cy, and what news from the Army. The Aid.
de-camp replied that the General was well, and
the news from the army OF very sombre char
acter, and presented a letter. The letter was
F. very short. 1t contained an apology from
F Washington for having applied for assistance
where it had been so often and so literally rem.
Il kofn h,,tc raI tk,,,
j. the Army was critical in the extreme, the coun-
= Try adjacent To the camp being completely ex-
= hausted, as well by the eneny's as by his own
s. furaging parties and concluded by lamenting
c that, unless supplies could be speedily obtained,
= he should be obliged 10 aDandon his position, and
l. fall back into the INFERIOR 10 obtain the neceSsa
u ry subsistence for the troops.
The Governor pnldered for moment upon the
Z contents OF the lettr then rising, and cordial,
!, grasping the CoIonl by he hand, abserved, IN
D IN a firm yet Cheerful tone. "When you return
r. to camp, bear with you, my dear sir, my love
y y and duty to his Evellency and say to him thai
" brave old Conneci:u', is not quite exhausted,
= but for every barreof provision she has furnish
" ', ed to the cause olibery she will furnish an
)" other, and yet aniher, to the same oriou>
cause say furthe that on such a day our teams
> may be looked for the bank OF the North river
IN hC T'u NC 7So"p SP"''cu 'tJoSiHS'
Is And now the paiot became "every inch" the
Z. executive officer. From his intimate acquain.
If lance with the resIrces of his native State, he
ID knew exactly whe those resources were to be
IL obtained, and the facilities for transportation,
-, for with him ever hing was done by method
~ and regularity. horders flew in all directions
n. His orders were eyed.
Il, Meantime, ,hesturn Of the Aid-de.cam TO
~ ~ Headquarters wifintelligence Of the prons-
IA ed supplies dlfusa general gladne.s through
rs out the army. Men the expected day arrived
" many an arxiousye was turned to the road
4. lie ,dng from the astward to the landing on the
NJ North river; a ~ i seen in the distance, and
be presently are he'd the cries Of the teamsters
~ :, urging their fnoxen. while the heavy-laden
w vans rroan UNI their generous burdens. A
10 shout rings throhr the American camp, and the
-" Commander.in-sef, attended by his officers,
w. rode to an emine:e TO witness the arrival OF the
rs. welcome supple
70; Governor Irabull had two sons attached to
~, the Headquarter John, the distinguished art
~ ist and the last dhe Ads de camp ana Johna'
u -. A. IA. 80, N the Commando F.l