Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-05-04
STAR.
TdE OATH AT vALLIY FORGE.


ton, by order of Congress, administered
the oath OF allegiance to the general off.
GERS. The Major Generals stood around
the Commander-in Chief, and took hold
of a Bible together, according to the
usual custom {; but as Washington began
to administer the oath Lee deliberately
withdrew his hand. This singular move.
ment was repeated, and in so odd a man.
ner that all the officers smiled, and
Washington inquiring into the meaning
of his hesitancy, Lee replied:
las to King George | am willing to
abSolre my self from all allegiance to him
but have so scruples about the Prince
of Wales"
The strangeneSs of this reply was such
that the officers burst into broad laugh,
in which Washington himself was Obliged
to join. The ceremony was of course in.
terrupted. 1t was renewed as soon as
composure was restored proper for the
solemnity of the occasion, and Lee took
the oath with the other officers.
Charles Lee received a commission in
the British army when but eleven wears
of age. When turned of twenty he
made four campaigns in America and in
The French war, and was wounded in the
assault on Ticondercga. He DISPLAYED
great. skill and bravery in the service,
and received the rank of Colonel. Leay.
ing America, he served with distinction
under Bnrgoyne, in Portugal, against the
Spaniards.
When peace came he returned to Eng.
land, and projected two new British col.
onies-one on the Ohio, below the Wa
bash, and the other on the Illinois and
though he was baflIed in his scheme by
the ministers rejecting his proposition,
yet he continued to take lively interest
In the concerns Of the colonies. His Wig
orous style, both in speech and writing
was distinguished by pointed satire and
scorchlng lnvectve, and saVored Of high
republican principles. He evidently fore.
| saw the American contest.
In l764, Lee went to Poland. and was
appointed Major General in Its army
he presented sword, which had be
| Iongcd to Oliver Cromwell. to Ponistow-
iski, who, lie observes, though a king
is great admirer of that exlrsordinary
man. lie eperiormed campaign az ainst
the Turks, Travelled extensively, and re-
turned to England in l770. Hs known
sentiments, and his ability as q writer,
led to the authorship of the letters Of
Junlus" being aScribed to him.
In lI73 he came to America, travelled
much, made the 'quaintance Of the lead
ing mcn, and embraced with ardor the
patriotic cause. Fixing his affections on
the Few World, he purchased an estate
in Virginia.
When tie Revolutionary War broke
out, Lee was appointed Major General.
dis valuable services in the cause are
too well known to require any sketch Of
them; but with his merits were faults
no less striking, which are to be ascribsd
to an i'll regulated mind, for his patriot
ism Is net to be doubted. After the af-
falr at Monmouth. for which lie was by
court martial suspended from any COM
mand for tweivemOnth, he retired to
his estate IN Berke!y county, Va, whic;,
ne called8rato RIO. Here he lived more
like hermit than a citizen Of the world
or a member CT q civil zed community.
Lis house was little more than q shcil.
without partitions, and containing scarce
ly tee necessary articles of furniture for
The most common use. 70 a gentleman
who visited him in this f0rlorn retrt at
where he found kitchen in enc corner
a bed in another. books in g third. AMI
saddle and harness in q fourth, Lee
said:
"Sr, it is the most conYsnient and
economical establishment in the word.
The lines of chalk which You see on the
floor mark the divisions Of the aDart.
ments, and l can sit in any corn,r and
give orders without moving from my
chair"
Farming proved Improbable. Lee left
hls place in the autumn Of l7S2. ard
made 8 visit TO Baltimore. He remained
there but a few days, when he went TO
Phiiaiclphia, where he had scarcely es-
tabliahed himself in lodgings when be
was attacked by fever, which termi.
mated lis life on the second of October.
at tiie assc OF liGiy-one. In the delirium
of fever, the last words he was heard TO
say, %o7e: Stand by me, my brave
grcna 3icrs!"
In 6 will that be had written were
directions that his body should not be
buried in any churchyard, nor within g.
mile of any Presbyterian burial ground.