Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1845-03-20

address to the army at Rocky HUI, IN
November, 1883.
s'And being now to conclude these,
his last public orders, to take his ulti-
mate leave in short time of the militia
ry character, and to bid final adieu to
the armies he has so long had the hon
orto, command, he can only again offer
in their behalf, his recommendations to
their country, and his prayer to the God
of armies. tts
"May ample justice be done them
here, and may the choicest of heavens
favors, both here and hereafter, attend
those who, under divine auspices, have
secured lnnumerable blessings for 9TH
ers.
With these wishes, and this bene-
diction, the commander-in. chief is a
bout to retire from service. The cur
tain of separation will soon be drawn,
and the military scene to him will be
closed forever!
The closing of this"military scene,"
| am about to relate.
New York had been occupied by
Washington on the 25th ofNovember.
A few days after, he notified the Pres
ident of Congress, which body was then
in session, at Annapolis, in Maryland,
that as war was now closed, he should
consider it his duty to proceed thence,
and surrender to that bodythe commits
sion which he had received from them
more than. seven years before.
The morning of the 4th of Deem
Der 1888, was sad and heavy one to
the remnant of the American army in
the city of New York. The noon of
that day was to witness the farewell of
Wash NC on-he was to bid adieu to
his military comrades forever. The
officers who had been with him in the
solemn council, the privates who had
fought and charged in thesheavy fight
ander his orders, We're to hear his COM
mand no longer-the manly form and
dignifed countenance ofthe"greatcap-
tain, was henceforth to live only in
their memories.
AS the hour ofnoon approached, the
whole garrison, at the request of
Washington himself, was put in motion
and marched down Broad street to
Francis tavern, his head quarters. He
wished to take leave of private soldiers
alike with the officers, and bid them all
adieu. His favorite lightinfantry, were
drawn up in line facing inwards, through
Pearl ST., to the foot of White Hall,
where barge was in readiness to con-
vey him to Powels' Hook.
Within the dining room Of the tav-
ern were assembled the general and
field officers to take their farewell.
Assembled there were Knox, Greene,
Steuben, Gates, Clinton and others, who
had served with him faithfully and tru-
ly in the t'tented field" but, alas! where
were others who had entered The war
with him seven years before. Their
bones crumbled in the soil from Cana
da to Georgia. Montgomery had yiel-
ded up his life at Quebec, Wooster
at Danbury, Woodruff was barba-
rously murdered whilst prisoner at
at the battle on Long Island, Mercer
fell MORALLY wounded at Princeton, the
brave and chivalric Laurens, after dis
playing the most heroic courage in the
trenches at Yorktown, died in trif1ing
skirmish in South Carolina, the brave
but eccentric Lee was no longer living
and Putnam, like a helpless child, was
stretched upon the bed of sickness. =
Indeed, the battle field and time had
| thinned the ranks which entered with
him in the conflict.
Washington entered the room-the
hourof separation had come. AS he
raised his eye, and glanced on the ia
ces of those assembled, tear coursed
down his cheek, and his voice was
/ tremulous as he saluted them. MOI
was he alone--men, ...-.
"Abeit unused to the melting mood"
stood around him whose uplifted hand:
to cover their brows, told that the tear
which they in vain attempted to con.
ceal, bespoke the anguish they could no
hide.
1 After a moments conversation
Washington called for a glass of wine
1t was brought him-turning to his
officers, he thus addressed them /.
aWith heart. full Of love and graft
tude, l now take my final leave ofyou
| | most devoutly wish your latter day.
may be as prosperous as your forme
| ones have been glorious and honora
/ ble.'' He then raised the glass to Ia
lips, drank, and added, 81 cannot come
! IN nocb NJ Won tn take nv leave. bu