The Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1852-1853, 1853-12-28
The closing of the military scenes"
am about 10 relate.

I Ou Tie LOLu VI NONGtuOtf. al lew
days afterwards he notife he president oi
Congress. which body was then in session
at Annapolis; in Maryland. that as the wal
was now closed, he should consider it his
duty TO proceed, thence, and surrender to
that body the commission which he had re.
ceived from them seven years before.
The morning of the 9TH of December,
1893, wss-a sad and heavy one to the rem
nant Of the American army in the city oil
New York. The noon of that day was to
witness the farewell Of Washington-he was
to bid adieu 10 his military comrades for
ever. The officers who had been with him
in solemncouncil, the private who had fought
and bled in the 'heavy fight" under his
orders, were to hear his commands no long
er. The manly form and cignited counte-
nance of the ''great captain" was ashencefortll
to live in their mem ories.
As the hour of loon approached, the
whols garrison. at the request of Washing
ton himself, was put in motion, and marched
down Broad street to Francis'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 White
hall, where r barge was in readiness 10 con-
vey him to Powel's hook. "'ta
Within the dining room Of the tavern
were gathered the generals and field officers,
to take. their farewell @
Assembled there were Knox, Greene,
Clinton, Sleuben, Gates, and others, who
had served with him faithfully and truly in
the "tented field;" 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 Mont
gomery had yielded up his life at Quebec,
Wooster fell at Danbur, Woodruff was bar
barously murdered while prisoner at the
battle on Long Island. and Mercer fell NOR
tally wounded at Princeton; the brave and
chivalrc Laurens, after displaying the most
heroic courage in the trenches of yorktown,
died in trif ny skirmish in South Caroiina;
the brave but eccentric Lee was no longer
living, and Putnam, like helpless child
wns stretched upon the bed Of sickness. ln-
dsed, the battlefield and time had thnned
the ranks which entered with him on the
conflict of independence .a saG".
Whashin5ton entered the room-thc hour
of separation had come. AS he raised his
eye and glanced on the faces of those as
sembled, a tear coursed down his check, and
his vsice was tremuous as he salutatcdlhem
Nor WAS he alone. Men, ''albeit unused to
the melting mood" stood around him. whose
hnnla al, md tI,.ir hr,y f,l1 flat
the tears, which they in vain attempted to
conceal, bespoke the anguish they could not
hide. 81 |'
After moments conversation. Washing
ton called for a glass OF wme 1t was
brought to him. Turning to the officers,
he thus addiessedthem: tsde, lar"
with heart full OF love and gratitude,
now take my final leave Of you and
most deyauedly wish your latter days may
be as prosperous and happy as your former
ones have been glorious and honorable. -
tie then raised the glass TO his lips. and
added, II 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
lutO tCdlS, dul huf dllCCO, IuChpbDlC VI uSkCA
ance. Washington graspeG him by :he
hand, and embraced him. The officers
came up successfully, and took an affection.
ate leave. No words were spok,n, but all
WAS the "silept elegance of tears" What
were mere words al. such scene? Moth
ing. 1t was the feeling of the heart--thrill-
ing though unsPoken.
INLo,, IL, lact l. lx;,,.
Washington left the room, followed by his
comrades, and passed through the line of
light infantry. His step was slow and meas
ured, his head uncovered, and tears flowing
thick and fast, as he looked from side to side
at the veterns to whom he now bade adleu
forever. Shortly an event occurred more
touching than all the rest. A gigantic sol
der who had stood by his side at Trenton,
stepped forth from the ranks, and extended
his hand: 5.... .s..
Farewell, my beloved general, farewell" :"
Washington grasped his hand, in convul.
sive emotion in both of his. All discipline
was now at an end, The officers could not
restrain the men as they rushed forward to
take Washington by the hand, and the vio-
lent sobs and tears Of the soldiers told how
deeply engraved upon their affections was
the love OF their commander
At length Washington reached the barge
at Whitehill, and entered it. At the first
stroke Of he oars he rose, and turning to
the companions Of his glory, BY wa'.iug his
hat, bade them silent adieu Their an.
swer was emily in tears; and the officers and
men, with glisleniry eyes, watched the re-
ceding boat ill the form Of their noble com
mander was lost sight Of in the distance.
" Y. Jour. Of Com.
Nonsuiting a Creditor. ao