Washington sentinel., 1853-12-18
dMasbington Ssntiml.
Touchine Reminicenses OF washington.

The spectacle, though suDnme ana glorious
one. Ye,,s vet attended with sorrowfnl feelings;
for, Slas! in the remains of that galldnt army
Of patriotic soldiers now about to disband
without pay, without support stalked poverty
and disease. The country hssd not the means
to be grateful.
The details of the condition of many of the
officers and soldiers of that PERIOD according
to history and oral tradition, were melancholy
in the extreme. Possessing no means of patri-
monial inheritance to fall back upon-thrown
out of even the perilous support Of the soldier
at the commencement of winter, and hardly fit
for any other duty than that Of the camp
their situation can better be imagined than de-
scribed.
A single instance, as sample of the situa-
ton 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 Newburgh, and the veteran soldiers were bid
ding a parting farewell to each other, Lit. Col
Cochran, an aged soldier Of the New Hamp-
shire 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"
aCome, GOMEZ said the baron "don't give
way thus, | will pay my respects to Mrs. Coch-
ran and her daughters"
When the good old soldier left them, their
countenances were warm with gratitude for
he left there all he had
In one Of the Rhode Island regiments were
several companies of black troops, who had
served through the whole war, and their brave
ry and discipline were unsurpassed The baron
observed one of these poor negroes on the
wharf at Newburgh, apparently in great dis
tress.
"What is the matter, brother soldier?"
"Why, Master Baron, want dollar to get
home with, now the Congress has no further
use for me"
The Baron was absent for few moments,
and then returned with a silver dollar, which
he had borrowed.
"There it's all could get. Take it."
The negro received it with JOY, hailed a
sloop which was passing down the riverto New
York, and as he reached the deck, took off his
hat and said
iGod bless you, Master Baronr'
These are only single illustrations of the
army at the close of the war. Indeed, Wash
ington had this view at the close of his farewell
address to the army at Rocky Hill, in Novem-
ber, 1898.
"And being now about to conclude these his
last public orders, to take his ultimate leave in
a short time of the military character, and to
had the honor to command, he can only again
offer, in their behalf, his recommendations to
their country, and his prayer 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
auspices, have secured innumerable blessings
for others.
"With these wishes and this benediction,
the commander-inchief is about to retire from
service. The curtain of separation will soon be
drawn, and the military scenes to him will be
closed forever
The closing Of the military scenes" ] am
about to relate.
New York had been occupied by Washington
on the 25th of November. A few days after
wards he notified the president of Congress,
which body was then in session at Annapolis,
in MARYLAND that as the war was now closed,
he should consider it his duty to proceed
thence, and surrender to that body the com
mission which he had received from them seven
years before.
The morning Of the 9th of December, 1888,
was sad and lsaSy 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 mill
tary comrades forever. The ofiicerswho had been
had fought and bled in the "heavy fight, under
his orders, were to hear his commands no
longer. The manly form and dignifed counte,
nance of the "great captain" was henceforth to
live 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 Francs's tavern, his headquarters.
He wished to take leave Of private soldiers,
alike with officers, and bid them all adieu.
His favorite light infantry were drawn up in
line facing inwards through Pearl street. at
the foot Of Whitehall, where barge was in
readiness to convey him to Powells hook
Within the dining room of the tavern were
gathered the generals and field officers, to take
their farewell
Assembled there were Knox, Greene, Gin
ton, Steuben, Gates, and others, who had served
with HIM faithfully and truly in the "tented
feld;n but alas where were others that had
entered the war with him seven years before?
Their bones crumbled in the soil from Canada
to Georgia. Montgomery had yielded up his
life at Quebec Wooster fell at Danbury, Wood
hull was barbarously murdered while prisoner
at the battle on Long Island, and Mercer fell
mortaly wounded at Princeton; the brave and
chivalriic Laurens, after displaying the most he
roic courage in the trenches Of Yorktown, died
in trifing skirmish in South Carolina; the
brave but eccentric Lee was no longer living,
&nd Putnam, like helpless child, was stretched
upon the bed of sickness. Indeed, the battle
field and time had thinned the ranks which en-
tered with him on the conflict of indepen-
dence.
Washington entered the room--the hour of
separation had come. As he raised his eye and
glanced on the faces Of those assembled, a tear
coursed down his cheek, and his voice was trem-
nlous as he saluted them. Nor was he alone.
Men, "albeit unused to the melting mood"
stood around him, whose hands uplifted to cover
their brows, told that the tears. which they in
vain attempted to conceal, bespoke the anguish
they could not hide.
After moments conversation, Washington
called for glass of wine. 1t was brought to
him. Turning to the officers, he thus addressed
them
"with heart full of love and gratitude,