Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1866-02-21
GEORGE WASHINGTON.

The month Of February having been
which ushered into the world the
father of our glorious Union,
we have thought it right and fitting to
present to our readers a brief summary Of
a story that cannot be told too often. It
commends itself to every one, and at the
present time when our country needs SO
much Of high and noble qualities in her
children, there is no purer model for the
study Of u young men.
Before setting out for New York, where
he was to take the oath Of Office as Presi-
dent of the United States, he ~journeyed
from Mount Vernon to Fredericksburg,
where his mother, then aged eighty-fve,
and afflicted with the horrible disease OF
cancer in the breast, was residing. Her
influence over him was always great, and
his devotion to her will always form one
of the most beautiful Of his traits, and
now, the first citizen in his country, just
about to take his place among the greatest
rulers Of the earth, we behold him coming
to his mother to ask her blessing and bid
her farewell. The interview was most
touching. Both felt that they were part
ing for the last time on earth. and although
buoyed up greatly by natural pride in such
a son, the aged mother could not restrain
her tears, and he. who owed SO much Of
his greatness to her, sobbed like a child.
She babe him go forward. and assured
him of her conviction that in all things he
would. prove worthy of the destiny Provi-
dence had evidently marked out for him.
At last the farewell was spoken, and he
left her, promising a speedy return to re-
port to her the inaugural steps of his
career.
The 22d Of the present month Cto-mor-
row. will be the one hundred and thirty
fourth anniversary Of his birthday. He
was born on the 22d Of February, 1892,
and died on the l4,h of December, 1899.
The following is a brief summary Of his
glorious career:
At twenty-one years Of age he took the
field in discharge Of his military duties.
He was, however, first sent as Commits
sioner by Governor Dinwiddie to demand
Of the French commander why he had in
vaded the Kings colonies. For seven
hundred and fifty miles, through an I'M
broken wilderness, accompanied by only
seven persons, he pursued his journey,
and, after forty.one days Of toll, reached
its end in the middle Of December. The
next year young Washington was made
| Lieutenant Colonel, and, at the head oil
only three companies, boldly entered the
wilderness. Encountering a detachmen,
Of the enemy, he engaged them and cap
tured the commander and his whole force,
| Thus opened the French and Indian war,
The next year young Washington wit
messed Braddock's defeat, and by his calm
courage, reckless exposure of life, and
firm resolution, he succeeded in saving the
wreck OF the army. Next, appointed
commander in chief Of the Virginia forces,
for two years he used every effort and
spared no toll to beat back the Indians,
who were constantly making inroads on
the frontier and butchering the inhabi-
tants. From constant toll and hardship,
his strength gave way, and he was CON-
| PEELED to retire from the service. 1t was
four months before he could again rejoin
the army.
In 1859, he retired to private life, and
marrying Mrs. Martha Gusts, a young,
accomplished and beautiful widow, he set
tied down as a farmer, and the stirring
career on which he had entered so early,
and pursued with such ardor, seemed
nearly ended. For nine years he re-
manned in the bosom Of his family, though
still he took a deep interest in public
affairs, and was looked on as one of the
chief public men Of the province.
After the battle Of Lexington, and at
the meeting of the Second Congress,
Washington was unanimously elected
commander-in-chief Of the American ar
mics. Shrinking from the tremendous
responsibility Of the appointment, he new
ertheless accepted it, from the same mo-
tive and in the same spirit he would have
offered up his life. Declaring that he did
not think himself equal to the command,
and refusing all p~ecuniary remuneration
for his services, he boldly stepped into the
gulf opened beneath his country, and
welded all his vast energies for her well
fare. As q commander, history does not
furnish his equal.
On December 25th, l776, was fought
the battle of Trenton. The river was full
Of floating ice, and a storm of sleet and
snow set in. To surprise the enemy was
his object, and in boats and batteauI he
crossed the dangerous ford. When first
made aware Of the presence of the Ameri-
can forces, the Hessian drums beat to
arms, and in O few moments they were
marshalled into order. But the Ameri-
can troops pressed them on every side,
and by their unerring aim thinned the
Hessian ranks. All order was at an end,
and they fed in dismay. Finding their
retreat cut off in every direction, they
threw down their arms and implored
mercy. In this battle % officers and $50
non-commissioned officers and privates
were made prisoners.
The battle Of Princeton followed in
quick succession upon that Of Trenton.
It wal q clear and brilliant morning. At
the first onset the American troops were
repulsed. The enemy pursued the flying
patriots until met by Washington at the
head of the regulars and Pennsylvania
militia. The action now for almost fifteen
minutes became very severe. Washington
was exposed to the hottest FIRE, while en-
couraging the militia by voice and exam
pie. In this battle fell Gen. Mercer, a
companion-in-arms with Gen. Washing
ton in the French and Indian War. The
loss Of the enemy was one hundred killed
and three hundred wounded and prisoners.
After dark on the Sd Of October, l777,
Washington, with his army, moved silently
towards Germantown. After the first as
sault the battle ragged long and severe, and
for awhile the issue was doubtful. A
thick fog for a long time enveloped both
parties, so that they were unable to dis
cover the movements of each other. This
battle lasted two hours and forty minutes,
and the loss on both sides was very great
in comparison to the numbers engaged.
The Americans, it is estimated, lost near
1000 killed, wounded and missing. The
loss Of the British was somewhat less,
being held at about 800.