American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1857-10-02
From Rush's "Wdshiagton in Domestic Life.'
THE WRATH OF WASHINGTON.

An anecdote / derived from Colonel
Lear shortly before his death in 1916,
may here be related, showing the height
to which Washingtons passion would
rise, yet be controlled. 1t belongs to
his domestic life, with which am dea-
ling, 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 8
own words as near as | can, having
made note of them at the time.
Towards the close of winters day
in 1871, an officer in uniform was seen
to dismount 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 busi-
ness and had dispatches for the Presi-
dent. "A servant was sent into the di-
ning-room to give the information to
MIR. Lear, who left the table and 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 dispatches
and deliver them at the proper time.
The officer made answer that he had
just arrived from the western army.
and his orders we're to deliver them
with all promptitude, and to the Presi-
dent in person; but that he would wait
his directions. Mr.. Lear returned,
and in o whisper impaired to the Pres
ident what had passed. Gen. Wash
ington rose from the table, and went
to the officer. He was back in short
time, and made a word of apology for
his absence, but no allusion to the cause
of it. He had company that day
Everything went on as usual. Dinner
over, the gentlemen passed to the draw
ing room of Mrs. Washington, which
was open in the evening. The Gener-
al spoke courtcously 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 back ward
and forward for some minutes without
speaking. Then he sat down on sofa
by the fire, telling Mr.. Lear to sit
down. To this moment there had been
no change in his manner since his in.
terrnPtion at the table. MIR. Lear now
| perceived emotion. This rising in him,
he broke out suddenly, "Its all over
st. Glars defeated-routed; the of.
fcers nearly all killed, the men by
wholesale; the rout complete--.too
shocking to think of-Aand surprise
in the bargain !" q "o
He uttered all this with great yehe-
mence. Then he paused, got up from
tho sofa and walked about the room
several times, agitated, but saying no.
thing. Near the door he stopped short
and stood still for few seconds, when
his wrath became terrible,
"Yes," he burst forth, "HERE on
this very spot took leave of him; |
wished him success and honor; you have
your instructions, I said from the Sec
rotary Of War, / had strict eve to
them, and will add but one word-Bn.
WARE OF A SURPRISE. repeat it,
BEWARE OF A SURpRISE-.you
know how the Indians fight us. lie
went of with that as my last solemn
warning thrown into his cars. And
yet! J to suffer that army to be cut
to pieces, hacked by surpriso4.4the
very thing ] guarded him against ! -
Oh, God I oh, God! he's worse than
murderer! how can he answer it to his
country?--thc blood of the slain is up
on him--the curse of widows and orph-
ans--the curse Of Heaven ~
This torrent came out in tone appal-
ling. His very frame shook. 1t was
awful said Mr.. Lear. More than once
he threw his hands up as he hurled i'm.
nrecations upon st. Clair. Mr.. Lear