Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1867-07-26
A New Anecdote of Washington.

A New Anecdote of Washington.
Paulding, in his "Lite of Washington
narrates the following anecdote, which we
judge will be as new to our readers as it
is tous
Being accustomed to visit an old and
hospitable friend whose mansion is not far
from the place have been describing,
formed an acquaintance with the worthy
dame by often stopping in my rambles to
rest myself, and listen to her stories about
Washington and Putnam, and other reyolu-
tionary heroes of less note. Washington
was her hero. She had picture of him
hung up just below her best looking glass,
and whenever she looked that way it re-
minded her of something the general said
or did, or some event of those doleful times
when the foct of an enemy pressed almost
every threshold in the land. She would
look at the picture with the affection Of
mother, and exclaim,-
"Ah, he was good man. remember
he used to come over sometimes, nay, very
often, to talk over mater with Gen. Pat
nam, who had his quarters here. If ever
man loved his country, it was Gen. Wash
ington. could tell, but am old, and lose
my memory every day--I could tell of his
perplexities, his watchings, cares, and suf-
ferings of mind and body, which believe
he never let any one see but myself; and
| shall never forget his kindness when
lost my youngest son. My boy was quite
hero among the young men of the hills,
and night after night used to go out with
parties of militia, beating the plundering
! Yagers that came from below and carried
away every thing they could find, to the
ruin of many Of our poor people, who stayed
between the lines because they were old,
| and knew not where else TO 90.
"One nieht--it was the twentieth of
| January-I can recoilect that--in the dead
of night, my son and his little troop were
surprised in turn by party from below,
while warming themselves in the house,
which the enemy surrounded in blank 81
lenee and then set on fire. In attempting
to escape they were all butchered by the
Yagers, who hacked them down, though
they begged for quarter. The next day,
while Twas out to neighbor's house, my
| sons body was brought home by some
/ people who knew him; and when / re-
turned. there saw it, with the blood frozen
in the gashes with which he was covered.
Il don't remember what become of me
till found myself sitting in our old arm
chair, and the general standing just by,
with his hat in one hand and the other
resting on the back of the chair. Mother,
said he.soon as come to myself Mother
and the word made me so proud / al
most forgot what had happened-.M Mother
you have given a son TO your country-s
;, brave man to his G, d. Go now to your
room; and will see every thing done
g went, for no one could say nay tt
him when he soothed or commanded, and
they buried my boy like soldier. The
troops fred, while the general himsel
stood over TIE grave, and the pride of I
mother almost overcome her affection
Time, hardships, and more sorrows tba
succeeded each other for years afterward
drove away the bitterness of this bereave
ment ;Nalthough when the floor was washed
or the sun shone bright upon it, we could
see the stain of blood where the body had
lain | can talk of these things now, fol
when think of the death of my son, re
member also that be died in the service o
! his country, and his countrys father fol
/ lowed him to his grave"