Washington telegraph., 1852-06-30
The American Revolution.

Interesting "reminiscences by an Eye
Watness-Ansericaaa Arn,y IN 1872
Gen. WaShimgton-his Personal Ap-
IcGraaace, Characteristics anil Habits
Gen. Gates
We translate from the New York Cour-
ric5- des Et0ts- U2ais some interesting ex-
tracts from the journal of M. De Brogle, a
very distinguished minister, peer, &c., under
Louis Philippe. who came over to this coun-
try III 1852, as officer of the French army
previously sent to assist the Americans:
On disembarking 1 found the American
army encamped at a place called Verplanck' s
Point. The force amounted to 5000 men,
who for the first time during the war;
were well armed, ,sclothed, drilled, and lived
under tents, with regular camp disci pline
| passed along the front of the army with
mingled feelings of pleasure, astonishment
and admiration All the soldiers appeared
to me as fne-looking men, robust and care
fully selected. The sentinels, neatly dress
ed, very viglant. and looking well under
arms, contrasted so oppositely with the idea
| had formed of these troops, that | was
obliged several times to convince my
self that was looking at living men, to feel
certain that [ saw the army which not long
since had no other uniform than cap or
hat, on which was inscribed the word Lib
erty.''
| caught sight on an emineitce fronting
the camp Of a group tents. which L supposed
must be the headquarters Of Gen. Washing
ton. Notwithstanding the natural impa-
tience | felt to see this famous man, as [
knew no one who could present me to him,
| could only approach as closely as the SEN
tnels would allow to the precincts of his
tents, hoping to see him in case he accident
ally came out. Not succeeding in this, l
continued on my route to the camp of the
French army, about fourteen miles distant.
The same day I entered M. de Rocham-
beau, who received me, now become colo
mel, with the utmost kindness, to introduce
me to General Washington. He promised
to do so, and the next day accompanied
him to dine with the great man. handed
the General letter from my father. After
shaking hands with me, he welcomed and
entertained me with thousand polite but
quiet attentions and remarks.
The General is aged about forty-nine
years he is tall, nobly proportioned and
built; his countenance is much mare agreea-
able than his portraits represent him ; yhe
was handsome man some three years ago
and though persons who have been with
him since that time say that he has rapid
ly grown old, it is undeniable that the
General is still as fresh and agile as a young
man.
His countenance is still agreeable and
open; his manner of receiving cold, but po-
lite; his thoughtful eye appears more fixed
than sparkling, but his glance is noble, calm
and assured he preserves in private life
that polite and attentive manner which sat
Isles every one, and that reserved dignity
which offends no one; he is inimical to all
ostentation and vainglorious displays; his
disposition is always equal he has never
shown any irritabiliiy modest almost to
humility, he appears not to know his own
worth; he receives easily and quietly the
marks of admiration which are frequently
paid to him, but he rather seeks to avoid
them. In society he is amiable and pleas
ant. Always serious, never abstracted or
nattentive, ever plain, free and affable with
out being familiar, the respect which he IN
Voluntarily inspires never becomes painful
or o.. embarrassing. Generally, he speaks but
little, and that in low tone of voice; but
ne is so attentive listener that whoever ad-
dresses him thinks not of an answer, being
iully persuaded that he is we'll understood.
This manner has been frequently Of great