Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1854-01-13

Commander-in-Chiefis about to retire from ser.
vice. The curtain of separation will soon be
drawn, and the military scenes to him will be
closed forever"
The closing of the military scenes" an,
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 commission which he
had received from them seven years before.
The morning of the 5th of December, 1888,
was sad and heavy 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, was to bid adicu to his military
comrades forever. The officers who had been
with him in solemn council, the privates who had
| fought and bed in the heavy fight" under his
orders, were to hear his commands no longer
The manly form and dignified countenance of the
"g great captain" was henceforth to live in their
memories.
As the hour fnoon approached the whole gar
rison, at the request of Washington himself, was
put in motion, and marched down Broad-street
to Francis tavern, his headquarters. He wish
ed to take leave of private soldiers alike with Off
GERS, and bid them all adeu. His fayorite light
infantry were drawn up in line facing inwards,
through Pearl street, at the foot of Whitehall,
where barge was in readiness 10 convey him
to Powell's Hook.
Within the dining room of the tavern were
gathered the generals and fedoffcers to take
their farewell.
Assembled there were Knox, Greene, Clinton,
Steuben, Gates and others, who had served with
him faithfully 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 Montgome-
~ had yielded up his life at Quebec Wooster fell
at Danbury, Woodruff was barbarously mur-
dcred while prisoner at the battle on Long Isl
and, and Mercer fell mortally wounded at Prince
ton the brave and chivalric Laurens, after dis
playing the most heroic courage in the trenches
ofYorktown, died in a traing skirmish in South
Carolina the brave but eccentric Lee was no
longer living, and Putnam. like helpless child
was stretched upon the bed ofsickness. Indeed,
the battlefield and time had thinned the ranks
which entered with him on the conflict of indie
pcndence.
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 check, and his voice was trem-
ulous as he saluted them Nor 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 at
IL 81,
could not hide.
After moments conversation, Washington
called for glass of WING. 1t was brought to
him. Turning to the officers, he thus address
sed them:
With a heart full Of love and gratitude. l
take nay final leave of you, and l most de
youtly wish your latter days may be prosper
and happy your former ones have been
glorious and honorable. He then raised the glass
to his lips, and added, a cannot come to each
of you to take my leave, but shall be obliged to
you if each of you VIII take me by the hand
General Knox, who stood nearest, burst into
and advanced, incapable OF utterance. Wash
ington grasped him by the hand, and embraced
him. The officers came up successiyely, and
took an affectionate leave. No words were spo-
ken, but all was the +" silent elegance of tears
What were mere words at such scene! No
thing. 1t was the feeling of the heart-thrilling
though unspoken. 9 .e.-er ti
When thelast officer had EN- mbraced him. Wash
ington left the room, followed by his comrades,
and passed through the line Of light infantry
His steps was slow and measured, his head un-
- ND tears flowing thick and fast as he
looked from side to side at the yercr.,1.. =
he now bade adieu forever. Shortly an event oc-
Cured more touching than all the rest. A gi-
gantic soldier who had stood by his side at Tren-
ton, stepped forth from the ranks, and extended
his hand.
Farewell, my beloved General, Farewell. f"
Washington grasped his hand, in conyulsive
emotion, in both of his. All discipline now
at an end. The officers could not restrain the
men as they rushed forward to take Washington
by the hand, and the violent 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
Whitehall, and entered it. At the first stroke of
the oars he rose, and turning to the companions
of his glory, by waving his hat, bade them 81
lent adieu. Their answer was only in tears and
the officers and men, with gistening eyes, watch
ed the recedng boat till the form of their noble
commander was lost sight of in the distance
N. Y. Jour. of Com. ssrs
Ridiculous Claim on the U. States.
1t is announced from Washington City, as a
matter of Importance, that a claim has been
brought before the Mixed Commission at London