Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1852-04-28
WASHINGTON'S FAREWELL TO HIS ARMY
BY HENRY A. BUCKINGHAM.

WASHINGTON'S FAREWELL TO HIS ARMY.
BY HENRY A. BUCKINGHAM.
The revolution was over. The eight years
conflict had ceased, and the warriors were now
to separate forever, turning their weapons into
| plowshares and their camps into workshops
The spectacle, though sublime and a glorious
one, was yet attended with sorrowful feelings ;
for alas in the remains of that gallant army Of
patriot soldiers now about to disband without
pay without support, stalked poverty, want, and
disease. The country had not the means to be
grateful
The details of the condition of many of the Of
ficers and soldiers at that period, according to
history and oral tradition, were melancholy in
the extreme. Possessing no means or patri-
monial inheritance to fall back upon-thrown
out of even the perous support of the soldier
at the commencement of winter, and hardly fit
for any other duty than that Of the camp
their situation can be as we'll imagined as des-
cribed
A single instance, as sample of the situation
of many of the officers, as related of the conduct
Of Baron Steuben may not be amiss. When the
main body of the army was disbanded at New
burg, and the veteran soldiers were bidding fare
we'll to each other, Lieut.. Col. Cochran, an aged
soldier of the New Hampshire line, remarked
with tears in his eyes, as he shook hands with
the baron
"For myself, could stand it; but my wife
and daughters are in the garret of that wretch
ed tavern, and have no means OF removing
them.
"Come, come" said the baron, g. don't give
way thus. | will pay my respects to Mrs. c.
and her daughters"
old laft hair
countenances were warm with gratitude; for he
left them all he had
In one of the Rhode Island regiments were
several companies of black troops, who had
served throughout the whole war, and their
bravery and discipline were unsurpassed. The
baron observed one of these poor wounded me-
groes on the wharf, at Newburg, apparently in
great distress.
"Whats the matter, brother soldier!'
"Why, Mester Baron, | want a dollar to get
home with, now the Congress has no further use
for me-"
then returned with silver dollar, which he had
borrowed.
There-it is all could get. Take it."
"The negro received it with Joy hailed soop
which was passing down the river to New York,
said
"God bless Master Baron!"
These are only single illustrations of the con-
dition Of the army at the close of the war. In
deed, Washington had this in view at the close
of his farewell address to the army at Rocky
Hill, in November, 1883.
"And being now to conclude these his last
public orders, to take his ultimate leave in
short time of the military character, and to bid
final adieu to the armies he has long had the
honor to command, he can only again offer in
their behalf, his recommendations to their coun-
try, and his prayers to the God of armies.
May ample justice be done them here, and
may the choicest of Heavens favors, both here
and hereafter attend those who under divine aus
pices, have secured innumerabie blessings for
others.
With these wishes, and this benediction, the
commander.in-chief is about to retire from SER
vice. The curtain Of separation will soon be
drawn, and the military scene to him will be clo-
sed foreverw
The closing of this " military scene" am D.
bout to relate.
New York had been occupied by Washing
ton on the 25th of November. A few days af-
ter he notified the President of Congress, which
body was then in session at Annapolis in Mary
land-that as the war was now closed, he sho'ld
consider it his duty to proceed thence, and sur
render to that body the commission which he had
received from them more than seven years be-
fore.
The morning of the 4th of December, 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
Washington-he was to bid adieu to his militia
ry comrades forever. The officers who had been
with him in solemn council, the privates who
had fought and bed in the "heady fight under
his orders, were to hear his commands no long
er. The manly form and dignifed countenance
of thu" great captain" was henceforth to live on
ly in their memories.
AS the hour of noon approached, the whole
garrison, at the request of Washington himself
was put in motion, and marched down Broad
street to Francis tavern, his headquarters. He
wished to take leave of private soldiers alike
with the officers, and bid them all adieu. His
favorite light infantry were drawn up in line ia
cling inwards, through Pearl street to the foot
Of Whitehall, where a barge was in readiness to
convey him TO Powles Hook.
Ts.Is Al - r