The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1863-10-21
George Washington.
BY JOHN PHOENIX.

He was born Of poor but honest parents,
at Genoa in the year 1892. His mother
was called the mother OF Washington He
married early in life, single widow lady,
Mrs. Martha Cursiis, whom Prescott descri
pes as the cussedest pretty woman south of
Mason aud Dixon's line Young Washing
ton commenced bushes as county surveyor.
and was present in that character al a sham
fight under General Paddock, where so many
guns were fred that the whole body of
militia were stunned by the explosion, and
set down 10 supper unable 10 hear a word
that was said. The supper was afterwards
alluded TO as Braddock's dealt eat, and .he
smile, deaf as braddock," subsequently
vulgariZed into "deaf as haddonck," had
iis Circumstance. Washington commanded
several troops dusing the revolutionary war,
and distinguished himself by crossing the
Deleware river on the ice of very inadequ-
ate thickness, to visit family of Hssians
of his acquaintance. He was passionately
fond of green peas and string beans, and his
favovite mot TO was, Sin time Of peas pre-.
pare for war"
Washington's most intimate friend was q
French gentleman, named Marquis Dee,
who, from his constant habits OF wrisibility
was nick-named 'laughy yet" His great
est victory was achieved al Germen,own,
where, coming upon the British al night, he
completely surrounded them with wall OF
cotton bales, from which he owpened de-
strucilve aud iarrific fire, which caused the
enemy 10 capilulate. ssThe cotton bales
being perforated with musket balls, were
much increased in weight, aud consequent.
ly in value, and the expression payfully
used, "Whafs the price OF cotton 2" was
much in vogue after the battle.
Daring the action, Washington might
have been seen driving up and down the
mes, exposed in small Concord wagon,
drawn by bobtail gray horse. His cels-
braied dispatch, "Viui, vidi, vici," er |
came and saw ia Concord wagon, his ref
! erence 10 the Circumstance,
Washington has been called the father OF
his country" IAN unapt title, more prop
erly belonging TO the late Mr.. McCloskey
parent of of the celebrated.pubilist;) the
child has grown, however, to thal ex,eat its
own father would not know H. General
Walker William Walker, is also called the
''falher of Nicaragua" and we have no
doubt, in case OF his demise, his children,
the native Nicaiaguans would erect suit
able monument over his remains, with the
inscription, 60 iaiher and fare worse"
Washington was member of The Know
Nothing order. and directed that none but
Americans should be put on guard, which
graleIy annoyed the Americans, their com.
fort being greately destroyed by perpetual
turns of guard duty.
He was elected twice President of The
United States by the combined Whig and
Know Nothing parties, the Federlisis and
AboIitionisis voting against him and SER
we'd out his time with great credit TO
himself and the country-drswing his sal
ary with regularity and precision worthy
all commentator.
Although, for the time in which he lived
very distinguished man, the ignorance
of Washington is something perfectly in
credible He never travelled on a Steam
boat never saw a locamo olive engine; was
perfectly ignorant of they4 principles of the
magneuc telegraph; never had dagueuo-
type, Colts pistol, Sharpes rife, or used a
fraction match. Ee ate his meals with an
iron fork, never used postage stamps on his
letters, and know nothing OF the application
chloroforme 10 alleviate suffering, or the
use of gas for illumination. Such a man
OF the United States in these times, although
it must be confessed we occasionally have
a candidate who proves not much better in
formed about matters liz geseral.
Washington died from exposure on the
summit of Mount Vernon, in the year 1886,
leaving him a name that will endure for
ever, il pos,errity presist in calling their
children after him 20 the same extent thai
has been fashionable. He is mentioned in
history as being first in peace, first in war,
and first in the hearts OF his countrymen -
in other words. ne was No in everything,
aud il was equally his enIrest and pleasure
to look out for the number, and took pre-
cious good care 10 90 so.
A portrait by Gilbert Stuart of this great
soldier and statesman, may be seen, badly
engraved, in the History of the United
States; but as il was taken when the gen.
eral was in the act of chewing tobacco, the
lef cheek is dstended out of proportion
and he likeness rendered very unsatisfac
tory. Upon the whole, General George
Washington was very excellent man
though unfamiliar with Scolts Infantry
Tactics, he was a iolerable officer; though
he married widow, he was a fond hus
band and though be did not know the
Bsecher family he was a sincere Chris
iian.
A monument has been commenced in
| the city Of Washington 10 his memory
which is TO be FIVE hundred feet in hight