The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1862-03-06
GREEN MOUNTAIN FREE1aAN MARCH 6, jo62
Washington as g Gtuater.

| Gen. WashiugtOH, with regard 10 ioX-hunt
ing, was representative man III bis day, ana
| was probably one OF the best riders OF his tine
an accomplishment which gave him dignity an'
| efficiency when lie became commandments
Of the Revolutionary army. His tavorite horse
after he took up his residence at Mount Vernon
was splendid iron gray. approaching to blue
| rejoicing in the name of Blenhem. His house
| at the time referred to, was the central point
not only from the vicinity, but from Maryland
for gentlemen who were fond of the chase ;these
friendly visits frequently extended for weeks,
and each day made memorable by unbounded
hospitality.
Washington dressed for fox-hunt must have
been splendid specimen of a man, his fine per-
son set off by the true sporting costume of blue
coat, scarlet waistcoat, buckskin breaches, boots
with yellow tops, silver spurs, velvet cap, and
snowy whip. handle supporting long taper
ing but heavy lash. Thus adorned, and accom-
panied by Hill Lee, his huntsman, at the head
Of his friendly retainers, ut an carly dawn he
took the field, and in the excitement of the
chase none rode more gallantly, and no voice
more cheerly made the woodlands ring than
his The foxes hunted at this time were the
gray species {; but there was an exception,
black fox, that Washington frequently hunted,
but without success This animal, the history
of which would no doubt be curious, would bid
defiance to all other pursuers, running from ten
to twenty miles, distancing both dogs 9nd horses.
1t was boast Of Washington, that his pack,
numerous as it was, ran so close that they could
be covered with a banket-an expression that
is suggestive as a volume could be of the nice
sense he had of the propretes of the sport,
and of the critical eye and judgement that he
brought to bear in its enjoyment. Washing
tons hunting establishment, though not entire
ly destroyed, was comparatively eglected while
he was absent at the head of the army ; but on
his return, Lafayette, with thoughtful appre-
citation Of his old commanders fondness for field
sports, sent him . pack of French hounds Of
unusual size and speed, which Washington re-
celved with livelest expressions of delight, and
which he used in favorable weather as often as
every other day in the week, generally starting
before sunrise, and returning home to breakfast,
made doubly appreciated by the exercise and
excitement in the bracing morning air
Occasionally the lady visitors Of Mount Ver-
non, mounted on their palfreys. would 90 on,
as charming witnesses Of the sport; and that
they might crafty their wishes without endan-
gering life or limb, Washington caused roads to
be cut through various places in the woods, so
that by /" short cuts the most eligible places
to sec the chase could be reached. On these oc
casons, Washington WAS especially conspicuous,
taller and finer mounted than any of his COM
panions. lie neither spared himself nor his
generous steed, maintaining what seemed to be
his inherited place, the lead, at the death yield
ing to no man the honor of the brush. IT. B.
1horp. HarPers Monthly.