Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1854-01-28

under Divine auspices, have secured innu-
merable blessings Ior others.
"With these wishes and the benedic-
iion, the Comnander-n-Chipi is about 10
retire from service. The curtain of sepa-
ration will soon be drawn, and the military
scenes TO hun will be closed for ever"
The closing Of the "mliiary scenes" l
am about TO relate -
New York had been occupied by WASH
ington on the 25th OF November A few
days afterwards, he notified the President
of Congress, which body was then in ses-
sion at Annapolis, in Maryland, that, as
the war was now closed, he should con-
slider il 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 9th Of December,
1888, was sad and heavy one TO the
remnant Of the American army in New
York. The noon of that day was 10 wit
ness the farewell Of Washington--he he was
10 bid adieu TO his military comrades for
ever. The officers who had been with
him in solemn council, the privates who
had fought and bled ia the "heavv fight"
under his orders, were TO hear his COM
Inands no longer. The manly form and
dignlfed countenance of the "great cap.
tain was henceforth to live in their memo
rieS.
As the hour OF noon approached, the
whole garrison, at the request of Washing
ton himself. was put in motion, and march
ed down Broad street to Francis tavern,
his headquarters. He wished to take leave
Of private soldiers alike with officers, and
bid them all adieu. His favorite light in
fan'ry were drawn up in line, facing in
wards, through Pearl street, at the foot Of
Whitehall, where barge was in readiness
TO convey him Powell's Hook.
Within the dining.room OF the tavern
were gathered the generals and field-oiI-
GERS TO take their farewell.
| Assembled there were Knox, Greene,
Clinton, Steuben, Gates, and others, who
bad served faithfully in the 'pented field .
but, alas where We're others that had en-
tered the war with him seven years before
Their bones crumbled in the soil iom Can
ada to Georgia. Montgomery had yielded
up his life at Quebec, Wooster fell at Dam
bury, Woodruff was barbarously murdered
while q prisoner at the battle on Long
Island, aud Mercer fell mortaly wounded
at Princeton; the brave and chivalric
Laurens, after displaying the most heroic
courage in the trenches OF Yorktown, dice
in trillng skirmish in South Carolina
the brave but eccentric Lee was no longer
living, and Putnam, like a helpless child
was stretched upon the bed of Sickness.
Indeed, the battle. field and time had thin
ned the ranks which entered with him or
the conflict OF Independence.
Washington entered the room-the houl
of separation had come. As he raised BIZ
eye and glanced on the faces OF those as
spmbled, a tear coursed down his cheek
and his voice was tremnlous as he saluec
them. Nor was he alone. Men, "albe
unused to the melting mood" stood arounc
him, whose hands uplfted to cover 1heir
brows, told that the tears which they If
vain attempted to conceal bespoke the an
guish they could not hide.
After a moments conversation, Wash
inglon called Tor glass of wine. 1t wa
brought TO him. Turning to his officers
he thus addressed them
"Wiih heart full Of love and gratitude
| now take my final leave OF you, and
most devoutly wish your latter DAYS may
BE- as prosperous and happy as your forme
ones have been glorious and honorable."-
He then raised the glass 10 his lips, an
added, 81 cannot come to each of you L
take my leave, but shall be obliged to yo
il each Of you will take me by the hand.
General Knox, who stood nearest burs
into tears, and advanced, incapable OF ut
terance. Washington grasped him by ih
hand, and embraced him. The officer
came up successively, and took an afftc
tionate lrave. No words Were spoken, br
all was the "silent eloquence oil tears"-
What were mere words at such a scene
Nothing. 1t was the feeling Of The heart
thrilling though unspoken.
When the last officer had embraced hin
= Washington left the room, followed by h
comrades, and passed through the line
light infantry. His step was slow an
; measured, his head uncovered, and tear
flowing thick and fast, as be looked frol
. sue W sue dl tIe veterans 10 WNOiI ne no
babe adiea for ever, Shortly, an event OF
> Cured more touching than all the rest
A gigantic soldier, who had stood by h
side at Trenton, stepped forth from th
: ranks, and extended his hand.
Warewell, my beloved general, far
we'll"
Washington grasped his hand, in convu
: sive emotion, in both of bis. All disciplr
: was now at an end The officers cou
not restrain the men a ; they rushed 70
: ward to take Washington by the ham
: and the violent sobs and tears of the so
diers told how deeply engraved upon the
affections was the love of their commando
= AT length, Washington reached Il
barge at Whitehall, and entered it.
- the first stroke of the oars he rose, ar
, turning to the companions of his glory,
. waving his hat, babe them a silent adie
/, Their answer was only in tears and Il
4 officers and men, with glistening eye
:, watched the receeding boat till the form
} their noble commander was lost sight OF
=. the distance.-.N Y. Journal of CONNER
= CARAvAJAL, the Mexican Filibusler, h
:. been tried in the United States Court,
4 Galveston, Texas, for his recen, operatic