New-York tribune., 1866-12-06


in a thcket a swamp crept back 70 his old compan-
ions The captives forced TO endure coarse in
suits. Crowded together ia narrow rooms uOlsOme
prisOn-ships they wasted away for want OF gOOd ar
and wholesome food. The sadness which prevailed ID
The camp found its only alienation in the example OF
Washington. lie was everywhere in person, and no
confidence felt by the soldiers but in his presence
The army suffered the most severe pryatiOns Inc
lines at places low tnat tbe men al WoIh
in the trenches stood up to their waists IN water
There was regular supply Of provisions Nhoie
regiments had nothing to eat bat pork and bread
Bat the serene patience of Washington inspired Ilem
with courage TO endure every hardship. his pace
was always IN the midst OF them More th9h any one
else he exposed himself to The fury Of the storm
But his physical pains were the least Of what he SUI
lcred His mental anxiety was intense. The late oil
the army, and apparently Of the American cause lay
in bis hands He alone must watch for Dis generals
and his troops. For eight and forty hours ne gave
not moment to sleep Gnd for nearly all lna' lilno
was on horseback in the lines ?.
The influence Of Gen. Lee as the eyh genus OF
Washington is admirably portrayed by MI' bancroft
IN LIS profound analysis OF the character auu vi
that treacbGrOus, malignant CHIEF. lie nad a,q~teu
brilliant prestige with the army on account Ot ms
conduct az the South. Although be had ADVISED the
surrender of the forts in Charleston harbOr without
firing single gun. he had the credl ol lachg CIhtoh
in Virginia, and in North Carolina ana OIL uI'lp6
him with shane from South Carolina HIS Ie'uI1 "
New-York was eagerly locked for by inc troops Ohe
/ q
from Heaven with q legion Of flaming sWordsmen.
His arrival. ." said Tghaaa7 the most faithful mem'
her of WaebiuctOn's staff, twill greatly relieve our
worthy general, who has too much for any mortar
upon his hands," "Pray hasten bis departure nc Is
uiuch wanted. ." was the message of jay 20 icnd
in Philadelphia But Lee, with all his insaate amO-
ton had 10 talent Of q commander Hed#et aiWG!s
in details could never take IN cOmprelensIe "hoIei
was without the gift Of original conception Dul was
severely critical of tho plans of others. lie was proud
4 H.. I-,b Eurlic Looked
upon his American associates as bad COM
pany He left his position in England through
anger at being neglected Had chance OF iayorb beeh
thrown to him, 10 one would have snapped more
swiftly at the bait. He cstermcd the people INTO
whose service he had entered as unworthy OF place
among the nations He had no sympathy with thelf
declaration of Independence, aud advised them to re-
turn TO their former state oil relation Making his
appearance in Philadelphia the seventh Ct October
he had the address 10 obtain from Congress grant Of
thirty thousand dollars an indemnity against ap-
pretended losses in England. At the same time,
aware of his designation TO the chief command IN case
Of a vacancy, he was urgent with Congress Tor
separate army on the Delaware. They sent HIM,
however, to the camp Of Washington, while he
secretly rdiculed them as " stable Of cattle that
stumbled at every step"
In passing through the country on his way TO New
York Lee found much in pIOlic sentiment that chlmed
in with his disposition 10 make peace with Great BH'-
ain. The Convention OF Maryland was ready 10 come
TO terms Pennsylvania was divided on the question.
The spirit Of reaction luTkcd among the people OF
Philadelphia Their lukewHrm officers In the army
threw up their commissions. A majority were eager
for negotiation, and considerable party insisted ON
absolute submission. In New-Jersey there was an
inclination to condemn the Americans for continuing
the contest. With the alleged concurrence OF the
most active friends of the cause IN New-Jersey and
the other provinces he had passed through Lee pro-
posed that Congress should authorize the offer OF
negotiation with Lord Howe on his own terms But
the proposal Of the pretended patriot received no at
tentiOn.
The position ofWashington at this time was painful
in the extreme. In his own words he was bcrelt OF
every peaceful moment, losing oil comfort and happi
ness" With no suspicion that any one could covet
his Office, he was sadly watching the effects Of the
DELAY in Congress TO raise an army. Aware that he
could be but Of little service 70 the cause by retaining
bis command, he foresaw tho inevitable ruin that
would follow his retirement Such is my situation
said he privately that il were to wish the btterest
curse 20 an enemy this side Of the grave should put
him in my stead with my feelings lie wrote 10
Congress that affairs were in most unpromising
way, that the army on the eve Of dissolution;
vet his appeals were without effect The supneness
of that body was unparalleled in the history Of legs-
laton. Nothing could open their eyes TO the perls
Of the hour. In spite Of the warnings OF Washington
they were still confident Of a respite for the Winter
In the latter part Of October, Washington gave /
proof Of bis military sagacy bywthdrawng bis army
TO the high ground above White Plains. But bis /
strength was wasting away under the system Of short
Cnstmeuts Inc ullltlh WOulu soon nave 10 20
home and did not always wait for their discharge. Not
SIM gle recruiting officer was in commission 10 procure
supply of fresh troops. Though overwhelmed with
cares Washington maintained serene selipOSsession.
Nothing could daunt bis iOrttude or impair his ludg
ment His arrangements for the safety Of the army,
in view of the anticipated attack by the British
mander, were ample and well concerted. But he was |
not seconded by his generals who acted as II they
were his peers. Lee in possession OF separate COM
maud refused TO cooperate with his superior Greene
framed his in direct opposition 70 the nsruc
tons Of Washington The consequence was the fall |
Of Fort Washington, which gave Lee fresh opportu-
nifty for the exercise on his accustomed intrigue and
nsubordnation lie neglected his orders TO move the
army spread false in Congress 10 the dspar-
agemcnt Of Washington, and a3pred to a grant of |
Supreme power. The treachery Of this infamous
adventurer was suddenly cut short by bis falling into |
the hands of the British ~ als.a.-. s.I2E1r- 80
By the middle Of December, the famous retreat Of
ninety miles through the Jerseys had been success
fully accomplished. Seldom has such march been |
made with so few facilities for its performance. The
season was one Of the most nclement in the year.
The troops were often in sight, aud slthin cannon
shot, Of the enemy. No hopes Of a speedy victory |
lent animation 10 their steps. The principal purpose
Of the retreat TO gain time, till mid-wnter and
impossible roads should afford protection The actors
in the scene looked back with dsmay the disasters
they had passed through and wondered by what |
source Of Inspiration they had been sustained. The
secret is explained by the influence of Washington in
whose rare nobeness of character the cause of The
patriots found rs only hope. "The virtues Of Their
leader touched the syaouQthies Of officers and men;
they bore each other up with perseverance, as II con-
scious that few and wasted as they wefe they were
ret 10 save their country" They loved the general
kg,tb gsrcre enthusiastic love, and had nothing |
hcainst hi.n but the little care ne took oi himself
while in action.
r q oudn -iu-p