Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1845-06-04

tho Revolutionary
f AT this lato lono hour, silence reigncd in III
head quarters. brokon only by the measured pa
cling Of the sentines, and the oft repeated cry G
'alfs well:' when suddenly the sound Of horse
tramp. at speed, Is borno upon the night vino
thon the challenging of tho guard, and tho passin
tho word. of an express from tho lines to the Com
mander in Chiof. Tho dispatches being opene
and read, thero would be heard in the ca I'm dee
tones Of that voice, vol remembered by tn
good and the brave in the old days of our coun
ry's trial. the command Of tho Ghetto his nov
watchful attendant, 'CaA Colonel Hamihon,
Tho remarkable conduct of the aid dc cam1
during the exciting Interview Of Washin yton ane
Major General Lee. on the field of Monmouth, a.
has been related in another part of this work
caused no lttle sensation in the army at tina
time. Ii was indeed q generous burst Of enthu
siasm. emanating from noble and ga liant spirit
that pure in its own devotion to the cause Of Lib
crty, viewed with Indignation and adherence c.
ven tho suspicion Of treachery in another. 1t is
somewhat singular that there were several dis
tinguished officers of the American army, who
Judging from events at tho close Of tho campaign
of 1915, antci pated some detection the part OF
Leo, on his return from captivity, and rcoinino
his former colors; yot it was left for member OF
different cloth from the military give the first
alarm to tho Commander in Chief this mo-
mcEtous subject. The Rev. Doctor Griffith, a
Welshman by BIRTH warm patriot in the cause
of America, and chaplain 10 one of the Virginia
Regiments, repaired to the headquarters at late
hour of the night preceding the battle of Mon
mouth, and warned the Chief agains, the employ
mont Of Major General Lee to command the adj
vance guard on tho ensuing morning. COM
mand which that veteran officer had at first de-
cnod. Washington received the information
cautiously, nay, doubtingly, when the reverend
gentleman, making his bow to retire, observed,
Il am not permitted to say moro at present, but
your EXcoency will remember my warning
voice tomorrow in the battle
From diff Guilty that occurred in lis }, Lieu
tenant Colonel Hamilton retired from the mead
quarters and assumed his rank in the line, in tho
command of battalion of Light infantry, the
then crack corps Of the army. With this
mand no n,nrchod to the South in 1871. AT the
sogo of Yorktown, it was dete rmincd to storm the
lection OF onlcers and men for this daring achicv-
mcnt was entrusted to Maj. General tho Marquis
do Lafayette. The Marquis lost time in
choosing a tho officer who was to lead the assault
Lieut., Col. Gimot, gallant Frcnchman, who had
boon attached to tho Marquis military family.
Hamilton, belonging to tho division OF hight lntan-
try commanded by lafayette, was about to pre-
fer his claim, when his warmest friends and adj
mirers dssuaded him, owing as they said, to the
vast influences in favor Of the Frenchman, from
tho presence of a splendid French fleet and army,
and the universal desire of doing every possible
honor to our generous and gallant allies. Ham
ton observed, i am aware that have mighty
Influences to contend with. but focl that Wash
ing,on is inf,xibly just. | will no; urge my
claim the plea of my long and faithful SERVICES
cocval with nearly tho whole war, | will only
plead nv rank He accordingly repaired to
headquar,crs. The General received his former
and favorite aid dc camp with great cordial'y
and kindness, listened patiently to his representa-
tons, and finally granted his claims; and Lieut.
Col. Hamilton, in presence OF throe armies; ied
the assault Of the redoubt the night of the
memorable nth October, with brlIllancy OF
courage and success that could not DO surpassed
AS tho Americans mounted tho works, the
CRY Of tho soldiers was, remember New Lon
don!' abiding to tho cruel massacre OF the A
mcrican troops at Fort Grswod tho year before.
When tho rcdoubt carried, tho vanquished
Britains fell on their knees, momentarily expect
ing the extcrminating bavonet; not man was
injured. when longer resisting. For Ham
ton, who commanded. and Lieut.. Col. Laurons,
who participated volunteer on this brilliant
occasion. courage and mercy have entwlnod a
wreath of laurel that time circumstance can
mover fade.
Shortly after the surrender of Yorktown. Col.
| Hamilton retired from tho army, preserving his
/ rank, bat declining all pay or emolurncnt. he
commenced tho study of the law, and was cleo
ted to tho New York Legislature and afterwards
to the old Congress. While a member Of the
latter body no wrote Il series Of essays of great
ability. showing the defects Of the old system of
government, and recommending convention
with view to an entirely new Constitution. Co
vcrnment and Laws. He was elected a member
| of tho Convention of 1877, and was one OF the
| brrh,es, stars in that constellation of patriots
and statesmen that formed the present happy Con
sttution Of the United States.
Hamilton's labors by no means ended with the
Convention of 1877; it required all his zeal and
eloquencc to stem the torrent of opposition from
Gov. Clinton and others up to tho time of the fl
nal adoption of the Constitution by the State OF
! New York.
/ In 1885, when tho first President was on his
way to tho seat Of tho new Government he stop
ped in Philadelphia at the house of Robert Nor
ris. and while consulting with that eminent pa