The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1855-07-20
Intercstim. Letter.

= The veteran General Swift has, from his retrea
/ on The banks Of Lake Seneca, written 10 rien
a letter abonnding with "reminiscences, which ar
rendered the more interesting from the distinguish
ed character of the narrator. The gentleman Il
whom The letter was addressed inserted it, will
| the permission of tine writer, in the New Yorl
Courier, from which paper we copy 1t:
GENEVA, May l6, 1856.
! DEAR SIR have your note Of the l4h in
staDt, with MIR. Piumers remarks about the pro.
family OF Washington, and especially as used te
| LIS, ~ the bnrtIe Of Monmouth. Tho sutjrU.
I ries my mind back 10 echoolbnv days, when, with
other boys, | had place IN the procession at the
obseaups Of Washington Taunton Green. The
impression then made promoted inquiry in after
life. | have among my papers the trial Of Gen
Chas. Lee, OF which courf-martI your grandfath
er was member. That trial records no unbe.
coming languaged n any interview between
Washington and Lee. had long ago heard o
Washlrgons using harsh langnage TO Lee AT Mon.
mouth, and, having IN 1904 letter of introduce
lion to Gen. Marshall at Richmond, inquired as
| to tho acts. The general said that the story OF
coarse language between Washington and Lee
not true. General Marshall Was captain on
the feIt Of Monmouth and near Washington. He
! stated nat Lees language dccorous, and that
Washigtons' manner and language were austere,
but not nrofane. My father introduced TO
Washington by Gen. Lincoln in 1884, at Mount
Vernon and saw Gen. Washington at Gen. Rob
erdeau's and at Mr.. Hoes, in Alexandria. His
remark on Washingion's manner and converse.
ton was that they were far from familiar, though
polite, and that there was grandeur in his aspect.
In the presence OF my father heard Gen. Cobb,
an aid de camp Of Washington, remark that it
was not easy 20 be familiar with Washington, and
that he was choice in his language and very rare.
ly. personal 10 his observations.
In the year lS02 was in Albany with my then
chief Col. Williams, and there heard Gen. Alex.
ander Hamilton say 10 Gen. Schuyler and Col.
Williams, that the story of Gen. Washington s
profanity al Fort Lee on visit OF inspection a0as
nat true. Washington was disappointed at not
finding the commander ant at his post, and express
ed his displeasure in strong language, but not
with oath. While member Of Gen. Thomas
Pckney's military family in South Carolina, in
1912, heard his brother, Gen G. G. Pinckney,
frequently mention conversations with Gen. Wash.
ingion. He said that he was habitually grave in
discourse, cautious in expression, slow and &C.
cura'e in Judgment but with intimate friends easy.
though rarely ,cosr. Now, Gen. 9. G.. Pnck.
NY was remarkable for !acetlousness and humor
and at the table of his brother WAS fond of con-
versati"n with young mon; neither Of these bro.
lhcrs believed the story Of Washington and Lee,
the language Of the former would be more to un.
do The evil then in progress than TO expend words
or Lee. Ii is fair to conclude that Washington s
mind, so we'll known for GOODNESS in battle, would
be far more engaged in restoring the order of the
day in the pursuit of the enemy than IN applying
ephPts to Lee.
Al the battle Of Brandywine where Washington
had many trials of patience and disastrous day,
no words unbecoming his position were then re-
numbered; and, though assai!cd by cabal, in
and out of Congress, for not winning that day, no
unbec"mng word or action was then attributed to
him. When Stia7t was porraying Washington at
Mount Vernon. the servant had been told 10 main
fire all night in the studio. He failed in his
duty. When the General came in and observed
I he failure, Stuart said 'his cuun,enance fell
Sluar; began to excuse the servant, but the Gen.
said sIernly. MIR. Stuart, my seryans know that
| expect obedence.' We have here an item OF
the tone Of Washingtons mind in every day life.
With Gen. Cobb, Colonel Humphries, Ma; ;or Bay.
les, and Col. Trumbull, all of the military family
of Washington, had the acquaintance which q
snbal.ern may have with aged sup"rors. or them
| asked Of their intercourse with Washington, and
though i, may be presumed that such persons
would not recount small defects. which, If existing
they may have observed still learned from them
many Interesting facts Of Intercourse in camp, and
generally that. with kind feeling for all dependant
upon him, he was sometimes vehement in lam
guage TO dellnquents, but ever just. Indeed, from
those great men who have the natural gift of com.
mand and who possess strong wills, we are not 10
expect uniform flow of cquanimity. l have no
doubt That when the occnsion made it proper,
Washington denounced delinquent in the field
with awful severity, but not with profanity
The first and third articles of war Of goth Sep
lember 1776, commend divine respect, and for.
bd profanity. and it is not probable that Washing
ton would have set example OF disrespect TO
la W, the enactment of which he had himself coun.
selIeJ.
am your friend and humble servant
J. G. SWIFT.
DANIEL HUNTINGTON, Esq, New York.