The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-12-11

4
were assembled the general and field of:
flcers to take their farewell.
Assembled there were Knox, Greene,
Steuben, Gates, Clinton, and others, who
had served with him faithfully and truly
in the "tented field" but alas where
were others who had entered the war
with him seven years before. There
bones crumbled in the soil from Canada
to Georgia. Montgomery had yielded up
his life at Quebec. Wooster at Dam
bury, Woodruff was barbarously murder
dered whilst prisoner at the battle of
Long Island. Mercer fell MORALLY woun-
ded at Princeton, the brave chivalric
Laurens, after displaying the most heroic
courage in the treaches at Yorktown, died
in a trif1ing skirmish in S. Carolina, the
brave but eccentric Lee was no longer liv-
ing, aud Putnam, helpless as child, was
stretched upon the bed of sickness. In
deed, the battlefield and time had thinned
the ranks which had entered with him in
the conflict.
Washington entered the room-the
hour Of separation had come. As he
raised his eye, and glanced on the faces
of those assembled, tear coursed down
his cheek, and his voice was tremulous
as he saluted them. Nor was he alone
linen.
"Albeit unused to the melting mood"
stood around him, whose uplifted hands
to cover their brows, told that the tear,
which they in vain attempted to conceal,
bespoke the anguish they could not
hide.
After a moments conversation, Wash.
ington called for glass of wine. 1t was
brought him-turning to his officers, he
thus addressed them; "Wth heart full
of love and gratitude now take my final
leave of you. | most devoutly wish your
latter days may be as prosperous and
happy as your former ones have been glo-
rious and honorable" He then raised
the glass 10 his lips, drank, and added
81 cannot come to each of you to take
my leave, but shall be obliged to you if
each Of you will take me by the hand"
Gen. Knox, who stood nearest, burst
into tears, and acknowledgements of
Inference. Washington grasped him by
the hand, and embraced him. The Off
GERS came up successfully and took an af-
fectiona;e leave. No words were spoken
but all was the silent eloquence of tears
What were mere words at such scene?
Nothing. 1t was the feeling of the heart
thrilling, though unspoken.
When the last OF the officers had en-
braced him. Washington left the room
followed by his comrades, and passed
through the lines Of light infantry. His
step was slow and measured-his head
uncovered, and the tears flowing thick g.
fast as he looked from side to side
at The veterans to whom he now babe a.
dieu forever. Shortly an event occurred
more touching than all the rest. A gi-
gantic soldier, who had stood by his side
at Trenton, stepped forth from the ranks
and extended his hand:
Farewell, my beloved General, fare.
well %
Washington grasped his hand in con-
vulsive emotion, in both his. All disci-
pline was now at an end, the officers
could not restrain the men, as they rush.
ed toward to take Washington by the
hand, and the sobs and tears of tine sol.
dieis tod how deeply engraven upon their
affections was the love of their comman-
der.
At length, Washington reached the
barge at Whitehall, and entered it. At
the first stroke of the oar, he rose, and
turning to the companions of his glory, by
waveing his hat, babe them silent adieu.
their answer was only in tears. officers g.
men, with glistening eyes, watched the
receding boat till the form of their noble
commander was lost in the distance.
Contrast the forewell OF Washington
to his army at White Hall. in 7 8 A!
and the adieu of Napolean to his army
at Fontainbleau, in 1914 The one
had accomplished every wish Of his
heart; his noble exertions had achieved
the independence Of his county, and he
longed to retire to the bosom of his
home-his ambition was satisfied. He
fought for no crown or sceptre, but for
equality and the mutual happiness of his
fellow beings. No faint of tyranny, no
breath of SANDER, no whisper of duplicity
marred the fair proportions of his public
or private life-but
she was a man, take him for all in all,
We meier shall look upon his like again."
The other great soldier was the disci-
pine of selfish ambition. He raised the
iron weapon of warn to crush only that
he might rule What to him were the
cries of the widows and orphans? He
passed to throne by making the dead
bodies of their protectors his stepping