Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-02-07
washington at nlon.aouth.

see some statements respecting Gen. wash
inqton's behavior at The battle OF Mon.
mouth, which seem to demand a passing
notice. They are found in an editorial crit
lcism on Le1tze's picture of Washington al
Monmouth The exceptional sentences are
the following: "The one great instance
which NAV be called the historical instance
of his expression of violent passion, was
that of the battle of Monmouth, when Cen
era Lee, leading his troops in full retreat
was met by Washington, who, totally una
BILE TO control himself, called Lee hercely
to account, even swore at hir."
General Lee was riding in front OF The
column, and Washington rode directly al
him. He called him to account Ill the Sc
yerest manner-Aung at him an oath OF con-
tempt"
"W ashington's great act is stemm'ns
the retreat, not cursing the chiet who al
lowed it," =,
| doubt not the upright intentions OF The
author of these sentences, or any one else
who NAV believe as he does. When young,
| knew an excellent man, who had been IN
the battle of Monmouth. He said he was
within forty yards of Washington when he
met Lee, and heard him use the name oi
God in manner that at The time seemed
to HIM profane. But am satisfied this is
mistake. My reasons are these:
General Washington greatly dlsaPproSed
of the use of profane language. On many
occasions he publicly expressed his dlsap'
probation of all profaneness OF speech; not
only because it was ungentlemanly and un-
becoming an officer, but also because 1t was
offensive to God. When he took command
of the American forces, profane swearing
among the officers was not unknown 10
syme. He early directed bis efforts to sup
press it. Nor did he ever cease to dislike
this form of wickedness. 1t is therefore
not probable that he forgot the ProPI eties
of his painful position, or his duty to God'
in that eventful day at Monmouth.
Q. have good evidence before my mind
that Washington did neither curse nor
swear at Monmouth. The late Maj James
Morton of Va, was at the battle OF Mon
mouth. He was, think, lieutenant IN
the army. He told me that he was within
six Yards of General Washington when he
met Lee, and that no expression, which
could be fairly called profane, escaped the
ips of the commander-in-chlef. MAJOR
Morton said that Washington used the name
of God two or three times, but IN manner
which no one had right to pronounce pro,
fame. Major Morton said that he heard
all that passed between the Generals, and
that Washington neither cursed nor swore.
Many old soldiers have told the same
story with that of Major Morton, respecting
the beginning of the interview. In man
ner Of terrible earnestness, Washington
said "In the name of God, General Lee.
what means this movement = General
Lee replied: 1T is occasloned by the exer-
else of that rascalIy virtue called prudence
of which your excelency is possessed to
remarkable degree" Upon this, Washing
ION with increased vehemence made sol J.
emn appeal TO Lee in the name oil God'
calling on hlm 10 do his duty to his country.
With a terrible rebuke he made Lee change
his position. Soon the shouts OF the Amer
lcans showed their love OF their country
and their command. THUS were the for
tunes of the day decided. Major Morton,
to whom reference is made above, was a
gentleman of very high standing. For his
6rmness of character, no less than tor the
shape Of his person, he was during the war
Of Independence often called "Solid Col
umn." He was the brother of the late
BENJAMIN Morton of Halifax county, vT-
oinia. of the late Nathaniel Morton OF Bal
timore, and of the late John Morton OF Bor-
deaux France. One of bis daughters was
married to the late Rev. DR.. John h. Rice
of Virginia, and another to The late Rev.
James Whary of Virginia. The present
distinguished physician and agrlculturalist'
DIR. VIM. S. Morton of Cumberland county,
Virginia, is the son Of the gentleman whose
testimony is given above. l have never
known braver man than Maj James Nor
ton. His statement to me was made,
think, IN the fall OF 1927, when his facul-
ties were quite unimpaired. Doubtless 9TH
ers have heard the same thing from his
lips, and should this paper meet the eye OF
such would they not do a service to the
cause of virtue to confirm the statement
here made: OF late years have not con-
ferred nor corresponded with any one on the
subject.
In all respects Wsshington's public be-
havior is more and more regarded bY his
countrymen with lively interest. HIS rep
utaton is part Of the national inheritance,
his example part of the unwrltten Law oil
the land. If he had serious faults OF char
acter, they are but i'll supported BY evi-
dence. That his indignation was reused at
seeing a cowardly retreat, headed by Cen
eral Lee, is very true. That the occasion
justified the strongest words and acts Oh
lawful anger, is certain. Anger, when
causeless, when outrageous, or when long
continued, is SINFUL otherwise it is not
wicked. "Be ye angry and sin not"
Needless appeals to God are not to be
justified. But solemn appeals to men in
the name of God, when the occasion justl-
Fl great earnestness, are not to be con-
demned. Our fathers of '76 were general
y serious men. The years of the Revolu-
tionary war were times of unusual solemnl-
ty. Surely no man has right to say that
Washington was profane in his feelings,
when uttcring the words above cited.
Since writing the above have heard that
book, which is likely TO be extensively
read, asserts that Washington was proiane
more than once. have not read it; but
shall be gratfed if the public mind, on good
grounds, shall become satisfied on this polut
of history. WM. ). PLUMEk.
ALLEGHENY CRY, Pa, Jan. 2, 1854.
Men OF TAsTE.-When General Whit
field. Indian Agent, visited the Cheyennes
and n fpw other wild tribes of Indians ~