The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1852-10-07

uent OF congress, wnlch DOdy was tne
in session at Annapolis, in Maryland
that as the war was now closed, he shoul
consider it his duty to proceed thence
and surrender to that body the commits
sion which he had received from then
more than seven years before.
The morning of the 4th of Decent er
1893, was sad and heavy one to the
remnant Of the American Army in tn,
city or New York. The noon of tha
day was to witness the farewell of Wash
ington-he was to bid adieu to his mill
tary comrades forever. The officers
who had been with him in solemn coun-
Gil, the privates who had fought and
bled in the " heavy fight" under his
orders, were to hear his commands no
longer. The manly form and dgnfed
countenance of the great captain" was
henccforth to live only in their mem
cries.
AS the hour of noon approached, the
whole garrison, at the request of Wash
ington himself, was put in motion, and
marched down Broad street to Francis
tavern, his head quarters. He wished
to take leave of the private soldier,
alike with the officers, and bid them all
ad:eu. His favorite light infantry were
drawn up in line facing inwards,
through Pearl street to the foot of
Whitehall, where barge was in readi-
ness to convey him to Powles Hook.
Within the dining room of the tavern
were gathered the general and field
officers to take their farewell.
Assembled there were Knox, Green,
Stuben, Gates, Clinton, and others, who
had served with him faithfully and truly
in the teuted field; but alas ! where
were others who had entered the war
with him seven years beforea' Their
bones crumbled in the soil from Canada
to Georgia Montgomery had yielded
up his life at Quebec, Wooster fell at
Danbury, Woodruff was barbarously
murdered while prisoner at the battle
on Long Island, and Mercer fell NOR
tally wounded at Princeton; the brave
AMI chivalric Laurens, after displaying
the most heroic courage III the trenches
at South Carolina the brave but eccen-
trio Lee was no longer living, and Put
nam, like hopeless child, was stretched
upon bed of sickness. Indeed the
battle field and time had thinned the
ranks which entered with him into the
conflict.
Washington entered the room-the
hour of separation had come. AS he
raised bis eyes and glanced on the faces
of those assembled, tear coursed down
his cheek, a:d his voice was tremulous
as he saluted them. Nor was he alone.
Men, albeit unusued to the melting
mood, stood around him, whose uplifted
hands to cover their brows, told that the
tear, which they in vain attempted to
conceal, bespoke the anguish they could
not hide.
After moments conversation, Wash
ington called for glass of wine. 1t
was brought to him. Turning to his
officers, he thus addressed them =
I" With heart full of | We and graft
tude, now take my final leave of you
most devoutly wish your latter days
may be as prosperous and happy as
your former ones have been glorious and
honorable" He then raised his glass
to his lips, drank, and added" can
not 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 utterance. Washington grasped him
by the hand and embraced him. The
officers came up successfully, and took
an affectionate leave. No words were
spoken, but all was silent eloquence of
tears. What we're mere words at such
a scenei Nothing. 1t was the feeling
Of the heart-thrilling, though unspoken
When the last of the officers had en-
braced him, Washington left the room,
by his comrades, and passed
the lines of the light infantry.
His steps we're slow and measured, his
head uncovered, and the tears flowing
thick and fast, as he looked from side
10 side at the veterans to whom he now
bade adieu forever. Shortly after an
event occurred more touching than all
the rest. A gigantic soldier, who had
stood by his side at Trenton, stepped
'orth from the ranks and extended his
hand.
Farewell, my beloved General,
arewell 20 M
Washington grasped his hand, in con-
1ulsive emotion, in both of his. All