The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-09-27
Our Orange County Correspon dence.
CORNWALL, Orange Co, N. Y,
Sept 10, 1850


Henry Gibson, a Surr,vr of Washsngton's Life
Gt1ard-His Enlistment-Prssenee at Battles
Duration of his Service, &c. &c.
A few weeks since, there was an announcement
IN the newspapers of the death of the last of Wash
'ngton's Life Guard. | have been requested by
eyera patriotic citizens in this vicinity, to inform
you, or rather. to inform the public through you,
that this announcement was premature. There is
now living, and in an ordinary state of health, In
the town of Monroe, in this county, about eight
miles distant, on the south side of the Schunne-
munk mountain, a revolutionary soldier, who, in
few months, will be one hundred years Of age,
named Henry Gibson. He is known to have been
a member Of Washngton's Life Guard, from its
first organization to its final dissolution al the close
the war. / called upon him, yesterday, in company
with friend. who had been acquainted with him
for number of years. He is fine specimen o
the old revolutionary soldier, and hike all the rest,
has q wondf rful yeneraton for his great COM
: mender in chief He told me that he enlisted
INTO the continental army at Boston. soon after
tie battle OF Bunker Hull. lie was mustered INTO
.ss s. HSs snd
neral Of the Army of the United States He was
in the battles of Whiie Plains, Monmouth, and
Brandywine AT the latter he was wounded, hay-
ing received a hail ia his left shoulder. He ac-
ctmpanied Gen Sullivan in his campaign 10 the
Ias,s. against The Indians, and witnessed the sur
tder OF Com wallis at Yorktown. As the safety
and life Of the CummlndeT-n. chief was deemed,
by friends and foes, at the time, as almost, II not
absolutely, indisl ensable 10 the cause OF liberty,
aud as British gold vac most lasishly used IN cor
rupting and disatecting us adhsrenis, the Guard
was organized for the purpose Of preserving the
General from the mAchinanons, intrigues, and vio-
! ltnce of both the Bnlsh aud the tories, IL was
composed ct the very best men thai could be Sc
kcied from the army ,-men OF sObsiety integrity
tired courage OF elevated and martial appearance.
The Guard consisted OF one hundred aud seventy
| four men. one hundred of whom. including Glib
| sor were mounted; the rest did duty on foot, and
| were more especially employed N guarding his
| quarters But even at quarters, GtDSon informed
| NE thul a pornUp u the guard was always mount.
| I'd. night and day, wmier and summer, and we're
ever patfuilna m the imms diaie vicinity lie saw
| the army oisbsIdcd, at Newburgh, aud take their
| departure for thtir homes The Guard was thea
| drawn NJ on the lawn before the old stone house,
I nov the properly Of the state, and address by
| their beloved aud venerated General. lie sud he
w.s unwilling 10 retain them IN hts service, con
trsry 90 their wishes, any longer than the rest
Of their cOnpsutons-is-arm bot " any portion OF
! them would volunteer their services, he would be
harry TO have them accompany him TO Mount VI T-
non ! nd that tbo-e on foot volunteering for thal
i pur,sose. should be mounted Orders were then
/ gwen that at the tap OF the drum the volunteer
! shoud advance. The drum tapped. and about one
| hundred striped forward, and among them Henry
| Gibson lie attended his chief To Virginia, saw
| bIIn sefei, lodged IN his own dwelling, received
his final discharge from his hands, and then. wttt
/ swelling emotions, separated from him forever
| Should there be any other survivor OF that dishn
euishsd hand, Il Is hoped that these notices may
be the means OF bringing The Tact to hghi',,, -