Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-11-12
Meeting Of Gates and Bursoyns.

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interesting chapter
Wilkinson, in his memoirs, describes tho
6rst meeting Of Gates and Burgoype, which
took place at the head Of the Americas camp.
They were attended by their stats, and by
other general officers. Burgoyne was in a
rich royal uniform; Gates In q plain blue
mock. When they approached nearly within
sword s length, they rsined up and halted !.
" The fortune Of war, Gen. Gates, has made
me your prisoner" said Burgoyne; 10 which
the other, returning his salute, replied, al
snail always be ready 70 testify that it has
lency"
I'VE passed through the American CAMP"
writes the already cited Hessian officer, in
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, how
ever, like soldiers, well arranged and with a
military air, in which there was bat little 70
ind fault with. All the muskets had bayo.
nets, and the sharp shooters had rifles Tho
men all stood so still that we were all fIled
with wonder Not one Of them made single
motion as il he would speak to his neighbor.
Nay more. all the lads that stood there in
rsnk and file, kind nature had formed so trim,
30 slender, so nervous, that IL was q pleasure
to look at them; and We were surprised a.
such q handsome, well-formed race" lin
all earnestness," adds be, English America
surpasses the most of Europe in the growth
and looks of its male population. The whole
nation has natural turn and talent for war
and a soldiers life "
He made himself somewhat merry, however,
with the equipments Of the officers A few
wore regimentals; and those fashioned to their
own notions as to cut and color-being pro-
vided by themselves Brown coats with sea
green fIcings, white lining with silver trim.
mings; and gray coats in abundance, with
buff facings and cuff, and gilt buttons; in
short, every variety Of pattern.
The brigadiers and generals wore uniforms
and belts which designated their rank; but
most of the colOnels and other officers were in
their ordinary clothes; musket and bayonet
In hand, and cartridgeb box, powder horn
over the shoulder. But what most especially
amused him was the variety Of uncouth wigs
worn by the officers-lingerings of an uncouth
fashion.
Most Of the troops thus noticed were tho
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
sstirical Specification"
But L must say to the credit of the enc
my regiments, continues he, " that not a
man was to be found therein who, as We
marched by, made even q sign of taupting,
insulting, exultation, hatred, or any other
evil feeling; on rne contrary, they seemed
as though they would rather do Us honor
As We marched through the great tent Of Gen.
Gstes he invited in the brigadiers and COM
manders of regiments, and various refresh.
ments were set before them. Gen Gates is
bstween fifty and sixty years Of age; wears
his own thin gray hair; is active and friendly,
and on account Of the weakness of his eyes,
constantly wears spectacles. At head quar-
ters we met many officers, who treated US with
all possible politeness.