The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-03-28
VOLUME XII.-NUMBER IS.

ben of two Of the principal and most aristo-
cratic families, and Alexander Graydon, to
whose memoirs We arc indebted for some
graphic pictures Of tho timer. ,-
These Pennsylvania troops were under the
command Of Brisadicr-gcnenl Miiliin, who,
in tho preceding year, had acted as Wash.
ingtons aid-de-camp, and afterwards as
quartermaster general. His townsman and
intimate, Gnydon, characterircs him rs
man of education and cultivated manners,
with great talent at hannguing; highly
animated ia his appearance, full Of activity
and apparently Of fire; but rather too much
Of bustler, harassing his men unncccsari-
ly. "Hc assumed, !" adds Gaydon, 80 lit
10 Of tho veteran from having been before
Boston" His troops were chiefly cncampcd
near Kings Bridge, and employed In con.
structing works at Fort Washington.
Smallwood's Maryland battalion was one
Of the brightest in point Of equipment. The
scarlet and buff uniforms Of these Southern.
ers contrnsted wildly with the rustic attire
of the ycoman battalions Of tho East. Their
officers, too, looked down upon their Con
necticut compccr, who could only be dis
tinguished from their men by wearing
cockcadc. "Therc wcro nonc," says Gray.
don, "by whom an unofhccr-like appearance
and department could bo tolerated loss than
by "a city-brcd Marylanjer; who, at this
time, was distinguished by the most fashion
able cut coat, the most nidoUoni cockcd.hat,
and hottest blood in the Union" Alas, for
the homespun-clad officers from Connecticut
river!
The Pennsylvania regiment under Shce,
according to Graydon, promoted balls and
other entertainments, in contradistinction
to the fnstdays and sermons borrowed from
Ncw-England. There was nothing Of the
Puritanical goodness among tho sylvania
soldicry.
In the same sectional spirit, he speaks Of
the Connecticut lishthonc: "0ld.iashioned
men, truly irrcgulars; whether their cloth
ing, equipments or caparisons were regard
ed, it would have been difficult To have dis
covered any circumstance Of uniformity
Instead Of carbncs and abrcs, they gencr-
ally carried fowling- pieces, some Of them
very long, such as in Pennsylvania arc used
for shooting ducks. Here and there one ap-
pcarcd in dingy rcgimental Of scarlet, with
a triangular, tarnishcd, laced hat. These
singular dragons were volunteers, who
came to make tender Of the services to the
commandcr-in-chief. But they stayed not
long in New York. As such body Of cav
airy had been counted upon, there was in
all probability want of forage for their
jddes, which, in their spirit Of ancient
knighthood, they absolutely refused to de-
scend from and as the General had no use
for cavaliers in his insular operations, they
were forthwith dismissed, with suitable
Acknowledgements for their truly chivalrous
ardor."
Tho troops thus satirized were body Of
between four and Eve hundred Connecticut
Lighthouses, under Colonel Thomas Seymour.
On an appeal for aid to the Governor Of
their State, they had voluntarily hastencd
on in advance Of the militia, to render the
most speedy succor. Supposing from the
suddenness and urgency Of the call upon
their services that they were Immediately to
be called into action and promptly to return
home, tney had come of in such haste that
many were unprovided even with blanket
or change Of clothing.
Washington speaks Of them as being for
the most part, If not all, men Of reputation
and property. They were, in fact, mostly
farmers. As to their sorry Jades, they were
rough country horses, not for show, but ser.
vice. As to their dingy rcsimentals, we
quote word in their favor from writer Of
that day: "Somo Of these worthy soldiers
assisted in their present uniforms at the re-
duction Of Louisburg, and their 'lank checks
and war.worn coats are viewed with moro
vcncration by their honest countrymen than
IL they were glittcring nabobs from India,
or bashaws with nino tails"
John Adams, speaking Of the discordant
passions ut work throughout the county,
observes: at requires moro serenity Of tenn
per, q deeper understanding, and more cour.
age than fell to the lot Of Marlborough, to
ride in this whirlwind."