Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1843-03-09
syashiafgton's Old Servant.


w AsfINGroN, Feb. 5.
The spirit of patriotism within me has
been refreshed this morning by commu-
Mon with man whose existence consti-
tutes link--probabIy the only link
which connects the present with the long.
long past.
Having noticed that bill passed the
House at Representatives granting PEN
sion to John Carey, who was the servant
of Col Washington at Braddock's de-
feat, and whe was also his army servant
during part of the Revolutionary war,
inquired him out, and to-day the Hon.
Mr. Briggs OF Massachusetts aud Hon.
| Mr.. Morgan Of our own state, accompani,
ed me to the old veterans cabin, which
is upon branch OF the Potomac, about a
mile from the navy yard. We found him
/ 10 good health and with strong feeling
Of gratitude TO God aud his county at the
prospect of pension. He says that the
| people of Virginia thirty years ago, told
him that II he came to Washington, he
would be sure To get peEsion, and tho
he has suffered many years of disappoint,
ment. instead of complaining, he has
been thankful for the blessings he has en-
IJoyed.
| When we commenced conversation
/ with htn, his voice was tremulous and his
utteranee difficult. But this, as his feel
/ ings rose, was overcome, and he talked
for an hour and an half with much anima-
ton, eylncing remarkable intelligence.
strict regard for truth, and a Just sense
/ of propriety. He did not know how old
he was, but from information derived
from persons who knew him best. fixes
his birth in 1923. He says that he was
several years older than the. ''C0lonel''
at i5raddock's defeat. WAsH1NGrox
took him as a. servant wher he entered
/ the army in I745, telling him he must
give away his fiddle. stop playing with
dice, and he would take care ol him. and
that he found him Kind. good master.
He gave us brief but intelligent account
of the disastrous battle in which the Enc.
lish General feH.-This living chronicle
of battle which occurred almost one
hundred years ago. from The Inns of one
of the actors in the same, was deeply in-
teresting.
Mr.. Briggs showed the old negro d
sword belonging to Genera! Washink ton,
which by many was supposed to be the
one worn at RrHddeck's defeat. After
examining it. the old man said that it
was not So: that the Col0nel'' had two
swords with him in that campaign both
OF which he said he had the care of and
OF which he described. MFR. B. inform
ed him that the sword came from Wash
lEgton's grand-nephew but he persisted
| IN saying that it was not used in that
campaign, as is the fact, for upon the belt
{ bnckle, &c. w. l757'' is. engraved.
showing that it was male 2 years after
! that battle.
he then gave some account of scenes
on the Brand ywine, in The Revolutionary
war, and Of the surrender of Corn wallis.
when he was again ,Washihgton's servan.,
but with less 4distinctness, showing that
the earliest scenes were best remember
ed. When lie heard of Wastinston's i'll.
ness, he came ffsom his residence to
! Mount Vernon, arriving che day after the
General died. At first sndbody there
knew him, or who would allow him to see
the remains, bat his opportunities finally
brought some of the family out, By whom
he was recognized. So.
At the close of fhe war General Wash
ington gave him one of his military coats,
which he has carefully preserved, and
values it as relfcysb any price the
world can offer. This was shown to u.s..
1t is blue. with yellow facings, and largo
metal buttons. six OF which have been fe-
Ioniously cut off by visitors. In looking
at and talking Of this precious garment,
the old man frightened up aud became
enthusiastic. Mr.. Briggs asked him
what he would take for. the coat. He
saw the question WIS not in earnest, and
barely replied, Don't ask such ques-
ton. massa:" Mr.. Morgan, with appa-
rent earnestness, repeated. s'.How much
money shall give for it. .Iuhn?" At
this he drew up and replied with spirit,
that # he had nothing but rags to wear.
and nothing to eat. all the money in the
world could not buy that coat. But he
added. 'syou NAV put it on. as a heap OF
ladies and gentlemen have done before.''
Having been with him more than an,
hour spoke of going, hut he Urged US so
earnestly to STAY that we remained much
longer. listening with constantly increas-
ins interest to one who has lived to more
than 10 years. .,
His mental faculties are vet nnimpair-
led. His vision and speech are affected,
but his hearing is good. His wife is more
than seventy years. his junior, and his
only companion and nurse. They live
in a cabin which he built before TIE late
| war. ;,
The bill Y hioh has passed The House,
under the auspices Gf.Col. Tailaferro sna,
Mr.. Briggs, gives him pension Ct $50
/ per annam, commencing in 1912.
600 a-.
/ Shall e'er colG water b. for,eot. !.
! When We ait down to dine ?-Gn ndt