Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1844-07-02
WASHlNGTON'S FAREWELL TO HIS
ARMY, DEC. iTu. 1888.

The morning of the 18th of December.
1888, was sad and heavy one to the re-
mcmberant of the American army in the
city of New York The noon of that dav
was TO witness the farewell of Washington
he was to bid adicu TO his military com
lades forever. The officers who had been
with him III the council, the privates who
had fought and charged in the eight" I'M
der his orders, were 30 hear his commands
no longcr-tlc manly form aud dignfied
coun'enance Of the ''grcat Clptain," was
henceforh TO live only in TIER memories.
As he hour of noon approached, the en-
tire Carr son, at the request of Was hington
h mSclt, was put IN motion and matched
down Broad street to Francis tavern, his
head quarters IL, wished to take leave OF
private soldiers alike with the officers, and
bid them all adieu. His favoritc light in
iantry were drawn up in a line flcing IN
wards, through Pearl street, to the foot OF
White Hall, where barge was in readiness
to convey him to Powles' Hook.
Within the dining room of the tavern
were as nbled the general and field off
GERS TO take their farewell.
Assembled there was Knox, Green, Stu
ben, Gates, Clinton and others, who had
served with him faithfully and truly in the
"tcntod feId;' but alas! where were others
who entered the war with him seven years
before? Their bones crumblc in the sol
from Cnada 10 Georgia. Montgomery had
yielded up his life at Quebec Wooster at
Dlnbury; Woodruff was barharouSlv muir
derod whilst prisoner at the battle on Long
Island M3rccr fell moItally wounded al
Princc'ow the brave, chiyaIlic Llurcns.
af er displaying the most hcro:c courage in
the trenches at Yorktown, died in a trifing
skirn sh in South Carolina the brave but
cXccntric Lee was no longer living, and
Putnam, Ike a helpless child, was stretched
upon tie bed of sickness. Indeed the bat
tie field and time had Trimmed the ranks
which entered with him into the conflict.
Washington entered the roOm-thc hour
of separation had come. As he raised bis
eye, aud gllLced on the faces of those as
scnlblcd, IA tear courscd dowa his cheek. and
his voice was trcmuous as he Salutcd them.
Nor was he alonc-men,
''Abeit unused to the melting mood,
$ God arounl him, whose uplifcd hands to
coser their brows, told that the tear. which
t1ey IN vain attempted to conceal, bespoke
tao anguish they could not hide.
After a moments conycrs ,tion. Wash
ing'on called for glass of wine. 1t was
brought him, turning to his officers he ihus
addressed them
"Wih L heart full Of love and gratitude,
| now take my fnal leave of you. most
dcvou,ly Wis. your latter days may be as
prosperous and happy rs your former ones
nave been glorious and honorable. lie thea
raised the glass to his lips, drank, and added,
= cannot come to each OF you to take my
lie I've, but shall be obliged 10 you, if you
will take me by the hand.'
General khoX, WHO stood nearest, burst
nto tears, and dvanccd--incapablc of Ut
tc:ancc. Washington grasped him by the
hand, and embraced him. The officers ad-
vtnccd successfully and took an alltclionato
leave. No words were spoken, but all was
The silent cloqucnce OF tears What were
mere words at such scene? Nothing. 1t
was the feeling Of the heart-thrlling, but
Whan the last o. the officers had embraced
hjm, Washington left the room tolowc by
his comrades and passed through the lines
If lght infantry. His step was slow and
.nelsured-hs head uncovered, and the
;"ars were flowing thick and fast, as he
looked flo SIDE to side at the veterans to
whom he now babe adiou forever. Sh ,rtly
al event occurred more touching than all
,ha rest A gigantic looking soldier, who
had stood by his side at Trenton, stepped
from the ranks, and extended his hand.
" Farewell, my beloved general farewell"
Washington grasped his hand in convul-
svc emotion, in both Of his All discipline
was now at an end, the officers could moi
geslra'n the men, as they rushed forward TO
take Washington by the baud the sobs and
tears Of the soldiers told how deeply en-
grayed upon their affection WAS the love of
their commander.
AT length, Washington reached the barge
If White Hail. and entered it. At the first
stroke of the oar, he arose, and turning TO
he companions Of his glory, by waving bis
hat, babe them silent al Gu their answer
was only in tears officers and mon, with
listening eyes watched the rcccding boat
II the form of their noble commander was
lost in the distance. Contrast the farewell |
Of Washington 10 his army at White Hall. |
1888, and the adIeu of Napoleon TO his ar
my al Fountainbeau, in 1911! The one
had accomplished every wish of his heart
bis noble cxertions had achieved the inde-
pcudcncc OF his country, and he longcd 10 |
retire TO the bosom of his home, his ambition |
was satisfied. lie fought for no crown or
'ccptrc, bat for equality and mutual happ-
ness of his fellow beings. No faint of tyr
lnny, no breath of SANDER. or whisper of du- I
pcity marrcd the fair proportions ofthc pub
c or private litc-but
He was man, take him for all in ALL
We ne'er shall look upon his like again
The other great soldier was the disciple !
Of self ambition. He raised the iron wea-
ron of war TO crush only that he might rule. |
W hat to him were the cries of the widows |
and orphans! He passed to a throne by
making the dead bodies of their protectors !
his stepping stones. Ambition-sef, were
the gods of his idolatry, and to them he sac
liticcd catacombS of his fellow men for the |