The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1856-12-05
Meeting of Gates and Burgoyne

In Irving's Life Of Washington we find
this interesting chapter:
Wilkinson, in his memoirs, describes the
first meeting of Gates and Burgoyne, which
took place at the head of the American
camp. They were attended by their staffs,
and by other general officers. Burgoyne
was in a rich royal uniform Gates in a
plain blue frock When they approached
nearly within swords lengtht they rancd
up and halted: "Thc fortune of war. Gen
Gates, has made me your prisoner" said
Burgoync; to which the other, returning his
salute, replied, 81 shall always be ready to
testify that it has not been through any
fault of your Exccllency"
ave passed through the American camp"
writes the already cited IIessian officer, din
which all the regiments were drawn out be-
side the artillery, and stood under arms.
Not one of them was uniformly clad !; each
had on the clothes which he wore in the
field, the church and the tavern, They
stood, however, like soldiers, we'll arranged
and with military air, in which there was
but little to find fault with. All the mus
kets had bayonets, and the sharp shooters
had rifles. The men all stood so still that
we were all filled with wonder. Not one of
them made a single motion as if lie would
speak to his ncighbor. Nay more, all the
lads that stood there in rank and file, kind
nature had formed so trim, so slender, so
nervous, that it was pleasure to look at
them; and we were surprised at such hand
some, wel-formeI race" an all earnest
ness," adds he, English America, surpasses
the most of Europe in the growth and looks
Of its male population. The whole nation
has a natural turn and talent for war and a
soldiers life."
He made himself somewhat merry, how
ever, with the equipments of the officers
A few wore rcgimentals; and those fashion
cd to their own notions as to cut and color
being provided by themselves. Brown
coats with sea-green facings, white lining
with silver trimmings and gray coats in
abundance, with buff facings and cuff, and
gilt buttons; in short, every variety Of pat
tern.
The brigadiers and generals wore uniforms
and belts which designated their rank; but
most of the colonies and other officers were
in the ordinary clothes; musket and bay
onet in hand, and cartrid box, powder
horn over the shoulder. But what most
especially amused him was the variety OF
uncouth wigs worn by the oficers-linger-
erings Of uncouth fashion. =
Most Of the troops titus noticed were the
hastily levied militia, the yeomanry of the
country. "There were regular regiments
also," he said, "which for want Of time and
cloth, were not yet equipped in uniform.
These had standards with various emblems
and notices, some of which had for us a
very satirical Specification"
"But must say to the credit of the ene-
my's regiments" continues he, "that not a
3span was to be found therein who, as we
marched by, made even sign of taunting,
insulting, exultatiop, hatred, or any other
evil feeling; on the contrary, they seemed
rs though they would rather do us honor
As we marched. through the great tent Of
Gen. Gates he invited in the brigadiers and
commanders of regiments, and various re.
treatments were set before them. Gen
Gates is between fifty and sixty years ol
age; wears his own thin gray hair; is 40.
tive and friendly, and on account Of the
weakness Of his eyes, constantly wears spec.
tacles. At head quarters we pet many
officers, who treated US with all possible po.
liteness.