Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-09-10
Fro n Rueh's Washington in Domestic Life.
The Wrath of Washington.

LIE WTdGn Oi WdSuluSt StOu.
An anecdote derived from Colonel Lear
shortly before his death in 1916, may here
be related, showing the height to which
Washington's passion would rise, yet be
controlled 1t belongs to his domestic life
with which am dealing, having occurred
under his own roof, whilst it marks public
feeling the most intense, and points to the
moral of his life. give it in Colonel Lear's
words as near as | can. having made a note
Of them at the time.
Towards the close of winters day in
1897, an officer in uniform was seen to dis
mount in front Of the Presidents house, in
Philadelphia, and giving the bride to his
servant, knocked at the door of the mansion.
Learning from the porter that the President
was at dinner, he said he was on public
business and mad dispatches for the Presi-
dent. A servant was sent into the dining
room to give the information to Mr.. Lear
who left the table aud went into the hall,
where the officer repeated what he had said
Mr.. Lear replied that, as the Presidents
Secretary, he would take charge OF the dis
patches and deliver them at the proper time.
The officer made answer that he had lust
arrived from the western army, and his or
ders were to deliver them with all promp-
tltude, md to the President in person; but
that he would wait his directions. Mr.
Lear returned. and in whisper impaired to
the President iwhat had passed. General
Washington rose from the table, and went
to the Office. He was back in a short time,
made word of apology for his absence,
but no allusion to the cause of it. He had
company tha. day. Everything went on as
Usual. Dinner over, the gentlemen passed
to the drawn groom Of Mrs. Washington,
which was open in the evening. The gen.
eral spoke courteousfy to every lady in the
room. as was his custom. His hours were
early, and by ten O'Clock all the company
had gone. Mrs. Washington and Mr.. Lear
remained. Soon Mrs Washington left the
room.
The general now walked backward and
forward for some minutes without speaking
Then he sat down on a sofa by the fire, tell
ing Mr.. Lear to sit down. To this momen,
there had been no change in his manner
since his interruption at the table. Mr.
Lear now perceived emotion. This rising
in him, he broke out suddenly, It's all over
st. Clair's defeated-routed; the officers
nearly all killed, the men by wholesale; the
rout complete-too shocking to think Of
and a surprise in the bargain!'
He uttered all this with great vehemence
Then he paused, got up from the sofa and
walked about the room several times agtat-
ed, but saying nothing. Near the door he
stopped short and stood still a few seconds,
when his wrath became terrible.
Yes he burst forth, HERE on this very
spot, took leave OF him; wished him sue
cess and honor, you heve your instructions,
said, from the Secretary of War, had a
strict eye to them, and win add but one
word-BEwARE OF A SURPRISE. Irepeat it.,
BEWARE OF A SURPERISE-you know
how the Indians fight US He went off with
that as my last solemn warning thrown into
his ears. And yet. to suffer that army to
be cut to pieces, hacked by suiprise-the
very thing guarded him againsIM Oh, God,
oh, God, he's worse than a murderer! low
can he answer it to his Countrywide blood
of the slain is upon him-the curse of widows
and orphans-the curse of Heaven!'
This torrent came out in tone appalling.
His very frame shook. 1t was awful, said
Mr.. Lear. More than once he threw his
hands up as he hurled imprecations upon
St. Clair. Mr.. Lear remained speechless;
awed into breathless silence.
The reused chief sat down on the sofa
once more. He seemed conscious of his
passion, and uncomfortable. He was silent.
His wrath began to subside; he at length
said, in an altered voice,-'This must not
go beyond this room.' Another pause fol-
lowed-a longer one-when he said in
tone quite low, General St. Clair shall have
justice. looked hastily through the dis
the particulars; | will hear him without
prejudice; he shall have full JUSTICE
He was now, said Mr.. Lear, perfectly
calm. Half an hour had gone by. The
storm was over; and no sign OF it was az
terwards seen in his conduct, or heard in his
conversation. The result is known. The
whole case was Investigated by Congress.
St. Clair was excuplated and regained tine
confidence Washington had in him when
appointing him to that command. He had
put himself into the thickest of the fight
and escaped unhurt, though so i'll as to be
carried on litter, and unable to mount his
horse without help.