The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1868-07-31
60 REPORT
OF THE BODY GUARD
OF THE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
APPROVED"

$500 NA-A@-&
APPROVED"
Then, out of Losing's Field Book,
Howe's New Jersey Historical Collec-
tiOns, and other documents of the War
of Independence, gathered the fol-
lowing data-thrice interesting now in
the light of the brilliant career of his
grandson-of VIM. COlfax, the life
guardsman of the Father of his COun-
try.
The Life Guard was organized on
New York Island in 1T76, soon after
the seige of Boston. 1t was composed
of $50 men, and was at first commanded
by Callet Gibbs, of Rhode Island.
There were three Lieutenants Harry
p. Livingston, of New York, VIM. Col
fax, of New jersey, and Benz. Goymes,
of Virginia. In 1879 VIM. Colfax was
raised TO the chief command, and the
number of the guard was increased to
$50 men. Col. Nichols, of Virginia, was
Lieutenant under Colfax. It was Col
fax whom Washington personally re-
lied upon and preferred to hold this
important place near his person, and it
was through the solicitations of Capt.
Colfax that Washington was initiated
into Free Masonry, taking his first de-
gree at Morristown, n. j., while the
army lay there in winter quarters. This
ceremony was performed in what is
known as the Morris Hotel, opposite
the village green of Morristown, over
what was recently the bar-room.
At Morristown Capt. Colfax was par
ticularly the guardian of the safety OF
Gen. Washington. The latter had his
headquarters then in the house of Ga.
briel Ford, Esq, still standing. 1t was
a mile or more out of town. The Gen.
eral and his family occupied all the
house except couple of rooms reserved
for Mr.. Ford and family. In log hui
on one side he kept his Office, with his
Aids-de-Camp, Hamilton, Tilghmar
and others; a log hut on the opposite
side accommodated his cook. Surgeon
! Thatcher in his diary relates the hard
ships of that winter. The Life Guard.
occupied fifty rude huts in a meadow
near by, and the army was cncampeC
over long sweep of hill-sides, two Of
three miles off in either direction. TIL,
near proximity of the British army
obliged Capt. COlfax to be constantly
alert. When an alarm gun was sound
ed, successive interior pickets sounded
it, till the whole line of camps wert
aroused. If the alarm was near by, tn,
Life Guard ut once filled the house
Five marksmen were placed at each win
The staircases were guarded, and in thi
way the Life Guard held the General
person till the earliest regiment appear
ed in sight. ,NftA 't+
Captain COlfax used to relate in hi
old years with good deal of humor al
instance OF the complacency of Wash
ington. aak "7-.' '.:i
One time the alarm was sounded. Con
fusion reigned. An aid-de-camp rushed
into the house, crying, "Where's tn
Generair Where's the General ?"' "a
Washington coming out of his room
and walking composedly down stairs
said: tl
BE quiet, young man! Be quieti"
Before the door of this house Coun
Pulaski used to drill his famous regi
ment of cavalry. Capt. Colfax relate
that Pulaski used to fire off his pistol
throw it in the air, catch it, hurl it at Al
imaginary enemy, and then, with on
foot in the stirrup, bend to the grount
without losing his rein, and recover tn
pistol.
At this place Washington rode ligh
bay horse, SO small that the General
legs, astride him, almost touched tn
ground. Capt. COlfax often told one o
the few instances when Washington wa
known to laugh heartily. 1t was wheI
lOCSSA1OAue y0AhctNS pAOSiPLsoIC AAe5A
from Robinson's house at West Point
on the discovery of his treason. TIL
estimate of Washington given by Col
fax will not be inapplicable to Gen
Grant.
HHe was reserved, and his mind ap
peared continually in exercise. He uni
ted sound judgment with the extremes
degree of caution" 1855
The Life Guardsmen continued in q
istence under Captain Colfax till 178:
the last year of the war; when ther
were but sixty-foeFS of them beside