Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-02-28

4" Ah Colonel, glad to see you; we of the army don
see one another often in these peaceful times Glad
to see your honor looking SO well remember you az
headquarters. The new-time, people don know
what we old soldiers did and suffered for the coun
try in the old war. Was it not cold enough at Val
ly Forge yes, was it; and l am sure you remember
it was hot enough at Monmouth. All, Colonel, | am
la poor cripple can't ride now, SO / make shoes and
think of the old times the Gineral often stops his
horse here to inquire if l want any thing want
or nothing, thank God, but the use of my limbs I
These interviews were frequent, as many veteran
icers called to pay their respects to the retired chief
| md all of them bestowed token of remembrance
Upon the old body-servant of the Revolution
1t was in November of the last days that the Gen.
aal visited Alexandria upon business, and dined
With a few friends at the City Hotel. Gadsby, the
most accomplished of hosts, requested the Generals
orders for dinner, promising that there was good
sir, replied the chief, give us some of them with
caafng-dish, some hominy, and bottle OF good Ma
deira, and we shall not complain
No sooner was it known in town that the General
would stay dinner, than the cry was for the parade
Of new company, called the Independent Blues,
commanded by Captain Percy, an officer OF the Re-
yoution the merchant closed his books the mechanic
laid by his tools, the drum and fife went merrlly
round and in the least possible time the Blues had
fallen into their ranks and were in full march for
The headquarters
Meantime the General had dined, had given his
only toast of 'sAU our Friends" and finished his
last glass of wine, when officer of the Blues was
introduced, who requested, in the name OF Captain
Percy that the Commander-in-C Chief would do the
Blues the honor to witness parade of the corps.
The General consented, and repaired to the door Of
the hotel looking toward the public square, accom-
panied by Col. Fitzgerald, DIR. Craik, Mr. Keith,
Mr.. Herbert, and several other gentlemen. The
troops went through many evolutions with great
spirit, and concluded by firing several voleys When
the parade was ended the General ordered the author
of the Recolections go to Captain Percy and ex
press to him the qualification which he, the General
experienced in the very correct and sodlery evolu
tons, marchings, and rngof the Independent Blues
Such commentator, from such source, it may well
be supposed, was received with no email delight by
the young soldiers who marched off in fine spirits,
and were soon after dismissed. Thus the author of
the Recolectons had the great honor of bearing the
last military order issued in person by the Father
of his Country.
Although much retired from the busy world, the
chief by means nattentive to the progress of
public affairs When the post-bag arrived, he would
select the letters and lay them by for perusal in the
seclusion of his library. The journals he would pc
ruse while taking his single cup of tea, (his only
SUPPER and would read aloud passages of peculiar
interest, making remarks upon the same. These
evenings with his family always ended precisely at
nine o'clock, when Washington babe every one good
night and retired to rest to rise again at four and
to renew the same routine of labor and enjoyment
that distinguished his last days at Mount Vernon.
The Revolutionary Letter.
MoRRIsTowS, JANUARY %, lT77.
DEAR SIR: Your letter of the 7th to my hands
days ago. and brought with it the pleasing reflection
of your still holding in remembrance.
The misfortune of short enlstments and the unhappy
dependence upon militia have shown their baneful in
fuence almost upon every occasion throughout the
whole Of this At time nor upon no occa-
sion were they exempfed than since Christ
mas for, if could have got in the militia in time or
prevailed upon those troops whose times expired they
generally did, the first of this instant to have con-
tinued mot than 1000 or 200 agreeing TO stays,
might am persuaded have cleared the Jerseys en-
trely of the enemy Instead of this, all movements
have been made with inferior numbers and with mixed
motley crew, who here to-day, gone tomorrow,
without assigning apprizng you Of It.
In word believe may with truth add, that do not
think that any officer since the creation had such
variety of difficulties and perplexities
have. How shall be able TO rub along till the new
army is raised know not Providence has heretofore
saved us In remarkable manner ana on TINS we must
principally rely
Every person in every State should himself IN the
raising and marching Of the regiments the army
with all possible expedition Those who faith be-
eve the accounts of the shocking wastes committed by
Howes army, Of their rayagng, plundering, and abuse
of woman may be convinced to their perhaps if
check cannot be put to their progress 1t painful to
to hear Of such ibera reflections upon the Eastern
troops you say prevails in Virginia ! always have
and always shall say that do not believe that any of the
States produce better persons capable Of making
better soldiers and have found that wherever reg
ments well Offered, the behave well where the
i'll Equal injustice is done them in deprving
them Of merit in other respects for people fly to
reader, better equipped with more regularity
into the field, than they.
| refer you to my letter to Lund Washington which
gives the late occurrences and with love to Nelly and
respects to Mr.. Cavert's family
! am yours afectonately,
Go. WASHINGTON
To JOHN PARKE CUsrrs, Esq, Mount Vernon
The Paternal Letter
PHILADELPHIA, NOVEMBER %, 1896.
DEAR WAsHIsGToS In few hasty lines covering your
sisters letter Saturday last promised write