Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1854-02-01

III; body the commission which be had re-
ccived from item seven years Lelore.
The morning OF the 9Th Of December,
HISS, was a sad and heavy one to the REM
snaut Of tile American army in the city of
New York. The noon OF that day was to
| witness tIre farewell Of Washingto gton-he was
to bid adieu TO his military comrades for
ever. The officers, who had been with him
in solrmn council,s the privatcs who had
fought and bled in the heavy fight" under
his orders, were to bear his commands no
longer. The manly form and dignificd coun-
tenance of the great captain" was hence
forth to live in their memories.
As the hour Of noon approached, the
whole 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 adpu. His lavorite light infantry
were drawn upin line facing inwards, through
Pearl street, at the foot OF Whitehall, where
Il barge was in readiness to convey him to
Powell's Hook. .-....
Within the dining room Of the tavern were
gathered the generals and field officers, tc
take their farewell.
Assembled there were Knox, Greene, Gin.
ton, Steuben, Gates. and others, who had
served with lin faithfully and truly in the
"tentcd field" but alas where were others
that had entered the war with him seven
years before Their bones crumblcd in the
soil from Canada to Georgia. Montgomery
had yielded up his life at Quebcc, Wooster
frll at Dauhury, Woodruff was barbarions-
ly murdered while Il prisoner at the battle
on Long Island, and Mercer fell mortaIly
wounded ut Princeton; the brave ard ch,v-
alric Laurcas, after Displaying the most he
roic courage in the trenches of Yorktown,
died in Il t;ihing skir,uish III South Carroll Ia;
the brave but eccentric Lee was no longer
living, and Putnam, like he plcss child, was
srctrncd upon the bed of sickness. Indeed,
the battlefield and time had tlinnel the
rauks which entered with him on the con.
flict Of Independence.
Washington cmtercd the room-thc hour
Of separation had come. As he raised his
eye and glanced on the faces Of those as.
scmbled, Il tear courscd down his check,
and his voice was tremuluus us lie salutcd
them. Nor was he alone. Men, albeit
unused TO the melting MOOD stood arour d
him, whose uplitcd hands to cover their
brows told that the tears Which they in vain
attempted to conceal bespoke tho anguish
they could not hide.
After momci!is conversation, Washing.
ton called Ter glass OF wine. 1t was
bronghtto him. Turning to III officers, he
thus addressed them:
"Wiih heart iuIi Of love and gratitude,
now take my Gnal leave OF you, and !
NEST devouay wish your latter days may be
as prosperous and happy as your former
ones have been glorious and honorable"
lie then raised the glass 10 lis lips, anl nd.
dcd, Il cannot come 10 each Of YOU 10 take
my leave, but shall be obliged 10 YOU il each
of yon will take me by the hand"
General Knox, who Stood nearest, burst
into tears, and advanced, incapable OF ut;e:-
ance. Washington graspcd him by the
hand, and embraced him. The Officers came
up succcssivcly, and took an eIlecli"nate
leave. No words were spoken, but all was
the I" silent cloGucncc Of tears" What were
mere words at such scene! Mailing
1t was the feelings Of the hcart--thrling,
though uuspoken.
When the last officer had embraced him,
Washington lvf, the room, followed by his
comrades, and passed through the line Ct
light infantry. His step was slow and meas.
used, his head uncovered, and tears flowing
thick and fast, as he looked from side to
side at the veterans 10 whom he now bade
adiru forever. Shortly an event occurred
more touching than all the rest. 4 gigan.
tic soldier, who had stood by his side at
Trenton, stepped forth from tie ranks, and
entended his hand.
Farewell, my beloved general, farewell
Washington grasped his hand in couvul.
sive emotion in bulh of his. All discipline
was now at an end. The officers could not
restrain the men rs they rushed forward TO
take Washington by the hand and the vio.
lent sobs aud tears Of the soldiers told how
deeply engraved upon their affections WAS
the uye Of their commander.
At length Washington reached the barge
at Whitehall, and entered it. At tic first
stroke of the oars hc rose, and turning 10
the companions Of bis glory, by waving his
hat bade them silent aGicu. Their an
swer was ,ouly in tears: and the officers and
men, with glistening eyes, watched the re-
ccding boat till the form of their noble com.
nlandcr WAS lost sight Of in the distance.