The Southern journal., 1846-05-23
BY COHEA & GOUVENEAUX.1 l
Selected Miscellany.
From Sears Magazine.
Incidents in the History Of Washington.

iheuOno III iio ieI'i vi 'fu1lI4ISuI'
We are familiar with the fact, as
declared by an Indian chief on the
treaty ground, that he had three times
taken deliberate aim during the bat
tie which ended in the defeat of Brad
dock), at Washington, then comman
ding the proyinciaIs, and missed every
time. The following anecdotes rela-
ting to the same individual are not so
generally known
Col. Ferguson of the British army.
who lay with part Of his rihemen on
the skirts Of wood in front of Gen.
kniphausen's division, writing to bis
brother DR.. A. Ferguson, the day af,
Ter the battle at Brandywine creek,
states eve bad not lain long, when
rebel officer, remarkable by hussar
dress, passed towards our army, with.
in a hundred yards Of my flank, not
perceiving Us. He was followed by
another dressed in dark and blue,
mounted OH a good bay horse, with
remarkably large high cooked bat. |
ordered three good shots to steal near
to them and fire at them. but the idea
disguised me; and | recalled tie or
der. The hussar in returning made
circuit, but the other passed within
hundred yards Of US; upon which ] ad-
vanced from the wood toward him.
Upon my calling he stopped, but after
looking at me, proceeded. | again
drew his attention, and made sign
to him to stop, leveling my piece at
him; but he slowly continued bis
way. As | was within that distance
at which, in the quickest firing, |
could have lodged balf dozen balls
in or about him. before he was out Of
my reach, | had only TO determine,
but it was not pleasant TO fire at the
back Of an unotfending individual,
who was acqnitting himself very coolly
of bis duty; so let him alone. The
day after, | had been telling this to
some wounded officers who lay in the
same room with me, when one of our
surgeons, who had been dressing the
wounded rebel officers, came in and
told US, that they had been informing
him, that Gen. Washington was all
the morning with the light troops, and
only attended with a French officer
in hussar dress, he himself dressed
and mounted in every point as above
described. 1 am not sorry that | did
not know at the time who it was"
Immediately after the organization
of the. present government, General
Washington repaired to Fredericks-
burg, to pay his humble duty to his
mother, preparatory to his departure
to New York. An affecting scene
ensued. The son feelingly remarked
the ravages which a lingering disease
had made upon the aged frame of his
parent, and thus addressed herr
"The people, mother, have been
pleased, with the most fattering una
i nimity to elect me to the chief magis-
tracf ot The United States, but, be-
fore ! can assume The functions of that
office. have come to bid you an affec-
tonate farewell. So soon as the pub
! lie business, which must necessarily be
encountered 10 arranging a new gov
ernment, car be disposed Of l shall
hasten to Virginia, and
Here the matron interrupted him:
"You will see me no more. My great
age, and the disease that is fast ap-
preaching my vitals, warn me that ]
shall not be long in this world. !
trust am somewhat prepared for a
better. But go, George, fulfil the
Thigh destinies which Heaven appears
to assign you; go, my son, and may
Heavens and your mothers blessing
be with you always"
The president was deeply affected.
His head rested upon the shoulder O.
his parent, whose aged form feebly yet
: fondly encircled his neck. That brow