Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1855-09-06

MAY ample justice be done them
here, and may the choicest of Heavens
4 favors, both here and hereafter, attend
those who. under divine auspices, have
secured innumerable blessings for 9TH
Iers.
s.With these wishes, and this benedic-
ton, the Commander-in-chief is about
to retire from service. The curtain of
separation viii soon be drawn, and the
military scenes viii be to him closed for
ever"
/ The closing of the military scenes"
| am about to relate.
New York had been occupied by
Washington on the 95th of November.
A few days afterwards, he notified the
President of Congress-which body
was then in session at Annapolis, in
Maryland-that as the war had now
closed, he should consider it his duty to
proceed thence and surrender to that
body the commission which he had re-
ceived from them seven years before.
The morning of the fifth of Septem-
Der, 1888, was sad and heavy one to
the remnant of the American army in
the city of New York. The noon of
that day was to witness the farewell of
Washington-he was to bid adieu to his
military comrades forever. The Off
GERS who had been with him in solemn
council, the privates who had fought
and bled in the "heavy fight" under
his orders, were to hear his commands
no longer. The manly form and digni-
fed countenance of the "great Captain, :"
was henceforth to live in their memo
ries.
As the hour of noon approached, the
whole garrison, at the request of Wash
ington himself, was put in motion, and
marched down Broad street to Francis
tavern, his headquarters. He wished
to take adieu of his private soldiers
alike with the officers, and bid them all
adieu. His favorite light infantry were
drawn up in a line facing inwards, |
through Pearl street, at the foot of
Whitehall, where barge was in readi- /
ness to convey him to Powell's Hook
Assembled there were Knox, Green, !
Clinton, Steuben, Gates and others, who !
had served with him faithfully and tru-
ly in the 'tented field;" but alas! where
were others that had entered the war
with him seven years before ? Their
bones crumbled in the soil from Cana
da to Georgia. Montgomery had yield
ed up his life at Quebec, Wooster fell at
Danbury. Woodruff was barbarously
murdered while prisoner at the battle
on Long Island, and Mercer fell NOR
tally wounded at Princeton; the brave
and chivalric Laurens, after displaying
the most heroic courage in the trenches
of Yorktown, died in a trihing skirmish
in South Carolina; the brave but eecen-
trio Lee was no longer living, and Put
nam, like helpless child, was stretched
upon a bed of sickness. Indeed the
battle field and time had thinned the
ranks which entered with him on the
conflict of Independence.
Washington entered the room-the
hour of separation had come As he
raised his eyes and gazed on the faces
of those assembled, atear coursed down
his cheek, and his voice was tremulous
as he saluted them. Nor was he alone.
Men, "albeit unused to the melting
mood" stood around him, whose uplift-
ed hands to cover their brows, told that
the tears, which they in vain attempted
to conceal, bespoke the anguish they
could not hide.
After moments conversation, Wash
ington called for a glass of wine. 1t
was brought him. Turning to the Off
GERS he thus addressed them:
''With heart full of love and graft
tude, now take my final leave of you,
and / most devoutly wish your latter
days may be as prosperous and happy
as your former ones have been glorious
and honorable" He then raised the
glass to his lips, and added, 81 cannot
come to each of you to take my leave,
but shall be obliged to you if each of
you will take me by the hand"
General Knox, who stood nearest,
burst into tears, and advanced, incapable
of utterance. Washington grasped him
by the hand, and embraced him. The
officers came up successively and took
an afectionate leave. No words were
spoken, but I'll was the .'silent eloquence
of 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
him, Washington left the room, followed
by his comrades, and passed through
the line of light infantry. His step was
slow and measured, his head uncovered, I
and tears flowing thick and fast. as he
looked from side to side at the veterans
to whom he now bade idieu forever
Shortly an event occurred more touch
ing than all the rest. A gigantic SOL
dier, who stood by his side at Trenton,
stepped forth from the ranks and ex-
tended his hand.
Farewell, my beloved General, fare
well /"
Washington grasped his hand, in con-
vulsive emotion in both of lis. All dis
cipline was now atan end The officers
would mot restrain the men as they
rushed forward to take Washington by L
n -