River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1875-07-30
A RARE EPlSTLE.
George Washington az n Man--IIis
Very DrOii Letter About bunker HiII
and New England People.
[From Harper's weekly,l

Tn the morning OF the Sd OF July, lII5,
the troops at Cambridge, Mass, were
drawn up in order upon the Common to
receive the newly elected commander-in-
chief. Accompanied by the general Off
GERS of the army who were present,
Washington rode on horseback from his
quarters to the great elm tree that now
stands at the north end Of the common,
and under the shadow of its broad
branches drew his sword and took com.
mand of the army.
Washington found affairs in deplora-
BILE condition. The army was composed
of a mixed multitude of men of every
sort, from the honest, highminded, patri-
otto citizen to the knave and criminal.
There was little discipline. Drunkenness,
theft, pecuation, falsehood and disobe-
dience were prevalent, and Washington's
first duty was to introduce stern Sys
TEN Of reform. The following copy ofan
autograph letter from Washington to his
nephew, Lund Washington, superintcn-
dent of the Mount Vernon property, will
show how the commander-ln-chieff felt in
regard to the position of affairs. The
original of this letter is part Of the
Thomas Adds Emmett, Nj. d., who kindly
gave permission to take a copy. 1t has
never before been published. It. is ver-
batim copy of the original in spelling,
grammar and punctuation. This care
lessly written letter shows the home side
Of Washington's character, Invested of
the pompous dignity with which tradi-
ton invested him.
THE LETTER
CAMP AT CAMBRIDGE Augt Goth 1875.
DEAR LUND, Your letter by Captn
Prince came to my hands last night
was glad TO learn by it that all are well.
the acct given Of the behavior Of the
Scotchmen at Port Tobacco q Piscatawa
surprized vexed me why did they I'm
bark in the causel what do they say for
themselves!-what does others say of
them!-are they admitted into company
or are they kicked out Of it!-what
does their countrymen urge in iustiiica-
ton of them!-they are fertile III inven-
ton, and will offer excuses where excuse
can be made.-I can not say but | am
curious to learn the reasons why men,
who has subscribed and bound themselves
to each other e. their country, to stand
forth in defence OF it, should lay down
their arms the first moment they were
called upon.
Although ! never hear of the mill, un.
der the direction of Simson, without
degree of warmth and vexaton at his ex-
IRENE stupidity, yet, If YOU could spare
money from other Purposes, could wish
to have it sent to him, that il may, if pos
sible, be set going before the works get
ruined & spOit, and my whole money
perhaps totally lost.--If am ready to
lose Barrans debt to me, it will be pref
ty severe stroke upon the back of Adams
* the expense am led into by that cOu-
founded fellow Simson, and necessarily so
in putting my Lands under the manage
ment of Cleveland
Spinning should go forward with all
possible dispatch, as we shall have moth
ing else to depend upon if these disputes
continue another year. can hardly
think that Lord Dunmore could act so
low, and mmanly part, as to think Of
seizing Mrs. Washington by way Of
revenge upon me; however as | suppose
she is, before this time gone over to Mr..
Calvert S and will soon after returning, 90
down TO New Kent she will be out Of his
reach for two or three months TO come.
IN which time matters may, and prob
ably will, take such turn as TO render
her removal either absolutely necessary
or quite useless am nevertheless OK
cecdngly thankful to the gentlemen Of
Alexandria for their friendly attention TO
this point and desire, you will if there is
any sort Of reason to suspect any thing Of
this kind provide kitchen for her in
Alexandra, or some ether place Of safety
elsewhere for her and Papers
The people Of this Government have
obtained a character which they by no
means deserved their officers generally
speaking are the most indifferent kind of
people ever saw have already broke
one col. and five captains for cowardicc,
q for drawing more Pay a Provision.
than they had men in their companies.
there is two more coils now under arrest.
and to be tried for the same offences 10
short they are by no means such Troops
IN any respect, as sou are led TO believe
Of them from the accts which are pub.
lished, but need not make myself enc.
mics among them by this declaration, al.
though it is consistent with truth. - dare
say the men would fight very well Oi
properly oiIicered) although they arc an
exceedingly nasty q dirty pcople-had