Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-09-20
NUMBER 273.

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18th of October drawn up In line on the bank OF
the Hudson, and, after having In the absence of
any officers of the enemy, laid down their arms
and put them into piles, we marched Off The
Canadians and nearly all the natives, who had
served with us, went in batteaux to Fort George.
The latter are TO be considered as banished, al
though II has been permitted their unhappy fami-
lies to join them in their exile leaving behind,
however all their property
When marching through the American camp
all the regiments, together with the artillery, were
drawn up in line of battle. Not single one was
regularly clothed In regimentals. Every one Of
the men wore the clothes wherein he used to go
to Church, into the field or the tavern. They had,
however, the appearance Of true soldiers" well
disciplined and with military air that not much
seemed wanting to accomplish success. All mus
kets were provided with bayonets, and the sharp
shooters had rifles. They stood so motionless In
the line, that we were already astonished. Not a
single one Of them permitted himself to utter any
remark to one Of his fellow-soldiers--and what Ii
much more, all OF them were formed BY sweet
nature" so tall, so fine, and muscular, that it did
ones heart good to look at them, and we were a
so delighted by the view of SO fine set of men. |
assure you, dearest friends all were fellows Of five
feet Elk or seven, n-the average, after the Prus-.
sian standard. And in every company You could
have found plenty OF even greater size. But this
who was utterly dismayed, that he could not ut
once open Office of enlistment for such exquisite
recruits" 1t is really my opinion, that in regard
Of stature and beauty Of the male population, Brit
sh America is excelling nearly all the Europe
an countries And in regard to the other sex
but for that keep my remarks back for the letter
which shall write at Kinderhook.
Now something about American wigs"
But few OF the officers of General Gates camp
wore regimentals, and those who wore them had
them made quite Independently in their own way.
Cloth ofevery color did serve the purpose-for iI,-
stance, brown coats with green facings and cuffs,
white lining, and silver aces---or there were plenty
Of gray coats with buff facngs and cufis-in short,
take any collection OF patterns in clothing store,
make every composition, be the fancy ever so ex-
trayagant, and you will have spared me the trouble
of description.
The brigaders and generals are wearing par
ticular uniforms and ribbons lying over the waist
coats in the fashion in which ribbons with orders
are used. Their rank is marked in this way. The
colonies and other commissioned officers, however,
are mainly in their every day clothes, carrying a
gun with bayonet in the right hand--the left
stemmed (placed on p in the side, the cartridge
and the right foot a little forward
And 10! there you men in snow-white wigs,
with unearthly long and wide sde-cufls, and thick
limbs on the back! There were also bright
black parsons-wigs peculiarly adapted for setting
fred rubicund Copperhces. And also grey Or
white English lawyers wigs, whose horse or goats
hair rolled upwards in dangerously high and noun
tain-like rising pads 1t looked like man carrying
sheep under his hat bound round his neck and
dangling over his back
There is good deal Of respect paid to these
wigs, not only because they are really 30 "Right
Reverend" and so very majestical by themselves,
but mainly because they are worn by all the gem
tlemen OF the Committee, and are therefore identi-
fled with Wisdom itself / feel inclined to call
them stubborn for once had the bad luck to
get into controversy with such "wig," and |
shall always be careful not to meet any more Of
them again
The masters and head owners Of these wigs are
usually gentlemen between fifty to sixty, who ap-
parenty have for the first time in life marched
to the sound of the caf's skin. 1t would not be
wondered therefore, that many of them are look
ing queer enough In their equipments at least
when reviewed by an European soldier. But, on
the other hand. they show conspicously enough
the spirit that guided them when taking to rife
and podwerhorn. 1t is no laughing matter at all to
meet them, particularly in the woods,-they are
very expert in taking aim with perfect sang froid
really think that the whole people have natural
talents for warfare, and that they would make ex
cellent soldiers.
OF all the regular troopsn not single reg!-
and materials They carried fags with various
emblems and notices, many Of which were little
fattering to us.
But, in general, owe Il to all the forces there
to state, that when we marched down their front
there was not a single man who exhibited any
rancor, hatred, or sign Of scorn, or who uttered
word of exultation or malicious passion. They
behaved as If they paraded to give us marx cf
honor When passing before the tent Of General
Gates he obligingly invited the Brigadiers and
Commanders to enter, AMI refreshments Of nil
kinds were placed before them. Gates is man
between City and sixty years Of age, wears his
own hair, grey and thin, and cut round his head.
He also wears spectaces being short-sighted; he
is still very lively and amable In headquarters we
met officers Of every rank, who proved very kind
and polite to us The French overpowered us with
hattering words, while officers from Pennsylvania
Of German origin, offered TO make US comfortable
in their homes The spirit Of several Prussian Of
fcers was reused to the highest pitch by the mere
appearance Of our blue uniforms, and the battles
of Sorr Pray, aud Kesseldorf, were ferycnhy dis
cussed.