Washington telegraph., 1852-08-11
VGTON, ARKANSAS, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST H. 1862


Within the dining room of the tavern
were gathered the general and field officers
to take their farewell.
Assembled there were Knox, Green
| Clinton, Steuben, Gates and others, who
had served with him faithfully and truly in
the tented feld;" but alas. where were
others who had entered ihe war seven years
beioree Their bones crumbled-m the soil
from Canada to Georgia. Montgomery had
yielded up his life at Quebec, Wooster fell
at Danbtry, WoodKali was barbarousiv muir
dered whilst prisoner at the battle OF Long
Island, and Mercer fell mortally wounded
at Princeton; the brave and chivalric Lau-
rens, after displaying the most heroic cour-
age in the trenches at Yorktown, died in a
trihing sllirmish in South Carolina--the
! brave lpt eccentric Lee was no longer liy-
ing, and Putnam, like helpless child, was
stretched upon the bed Of sickness In
deed the battle field and time had thinned
the ranks which entered with him in the
conflict
| Washington entered the room-the hour
| Of separation had come. As he raised bis
eye and glanced on the faces of those assem-
! bled, tear coursed down his cheek, aud
his voice was tremulous as he saluted them
Nor was he alone Men, 'albeit unused
to the melting mood" stood around him,
1 whose uplited hands. to cover their brows,
told that The tear, which they in vain al
tempted to conceal, bespoke the anguish
| they could not hide
After moments conversation, Wash
ington called for glass OF wine 1t was
brought him. Turning to the officers, he
thus addressed them:
With hears full of love and gratitude,
now take my final leave of you. I most
I.devout'y wish your latter days may be as
prosperous and happy as your former ones
have been glorious and honorable" He
then raised the glass to his lips and added:
q cannot come to each of you to take my
leave, but shall be obliged to you if each Of
you will take me by the hand''
General Knox. who stood nearest, burst
into tears, and advanced, incapable OF ut
terance. Washington grasped him by the
hand, and embraced him. The officers
came up successive!y and took an affection
ate leave. No words were spoken, but all
were the silent eloqucnce Of tears. =
What were mere words at such scene! =
Nothing It was the feeling of the heart
thrilling, though unspoken
When the last of the officers had en-
braced him, Washington left the room fol-
| lowed by his comrades, and passed through
the lines Of the light infantry. His step
was slow and measured, his head uncovered,
and the tears flowing thick and fast as he
looked from side to side at the veterans to
whom he now bade adeu forever Shortly
an event occurred more touching than all
| the rest. a gigantic soldier, who had
stood by his side at Trenton. stepped forth
from the ranks and extended his hand.
3" Farewell, my beloved General, fare
wellr'
Washington grasped his hand, in convul-
sve emotion, in both Of his. All discip pine
was now at an end The officers could not
restrain the men as they rushed forward to
take Wasbin gton by the hand. and the vio-
/ lent sobs and tears Of the soldiers told now
deeply engraven upon their affection was
the love of their commander.
At length Washington reached the barge
at Whitehall, and entered it. At The first
stroke Of the oars he rose, and turning
to the companions of his glory, by waving
bis hat bade them silent adieu Their
answer was only in tears--and officers and
men. with glistening eyes, watched the re-
ceding boat till the form of their noble COM
mander was lost in the distance
Non+roct tIo Go,o,roll of w, chin o4op to
his army at Whitehall, in 1884, and the
adieu Of Napoleon to his army at Fontain-
blcu, in 1874, The one had accomplished
every wish Of his heart His noble exer-
ton had achieved the independence of his
country, and he longed to retire to the bos-
on of his home His ambition was salts
fed. He fought for no crown or sceptre,
but for equality and the mutual happiness
Of his fellow beings No taint Of tyranny,
no breath of SANDER no whisper Of dupic-
ity, marred the fair proportions of his pub-
lie or private life: but
.'He was man, take him for all in all
We ne'er shall look upon his like again
The other great soldier was the disciple
of selfish ambition He raised the iron
weapon of war to crush, only that he night
rule What to him were the cries Of the
widows and orphans? He passed to a
throne by making the dead bodies of their
protectors his stepping stones. Ambition,
self, were the gods OF his idolatry, and to
them he sacrificed hecatombs of his fellow
men for the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of personal glo-
ry. Enthusiasm points with fearful wonGer
to the name Of Napoleon, whilst justice, be-
nevolence, freedom and all the concomitants
which constitute the true happiness of man,
shed almost divine halo round the name
and character Of WASHINGTON.