National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-03-02
General Tannh TiIrhnan.

The recent sudden demise Of this estimabIe
gentleman has oceasoned profound regret in the
wide circle Of his acquaintance and friends
throughout the country. Sprung from one of the
most illustrious Maryland families he illustrated
in his life the dignity of manner and scrupulous
etiquette which distinguished the gentlemen of
the old school, now, unfortunately, we'll nigh
extinct. graduate Of West Point, he was
known to possess military qualities of no mean
order, fitting him for any position in his profes
sion to which he might have aspired. With the
exception, however, Of taking part in the Florida
war, he was never secuGed into active service
For many years he was an extensive landowner,
and amid the shades of his fine estate, near
Oxford, Maryland, devoted himself to agrieultu-
raj and horticultural pursuits. Besides being
prominently identified with the farming interests
Of his own county, he was an active member Of
the United States Agricultural Society, and for
number Of years its president. In politics he
was Wing Of the Henry Clay school until the
dissolution Of that great party, and his name was
tie highest civil positions in the State He was
also deeply interested in the subject Of internal
improvements, for the study Of which his educa-
tional training and skill as an engineer eminently
qualified him. He originated and conducted to
completion the Maryland and Delaware railroad,
ard was elected its first president.
Gen. Tilghman cherished, as a scholar and pa-
triot, the memories Of our national history, with
which his ancestors were so prominently identi-
ned and was at the time Of his death president Of
the Society Of the Cincinnati imposed of de-
seendants Of the officers Of the Revolution. He
was man Of varied culture, welldiseiplined
mind and rare social endoWments Suddenly
stricken down at a time when he bore the impress
of vigorous health and the prospect Of long life
he has left large circle Of friends to cherish the
recollection OF his many excellent qualities.
Among his effects were discovered q number of
revolutionary relics and documents, to which q
late number the EGSton Star, in an interesting
'SInce the death of his father, the late General
Tench Ttlghman, Mr.. Oswald Tllghmau has had
occasion d to examine the papers Of the deceased,
ing variety Of interesting revolutionary relics
and documents which belonged to his great grand
father, Col Tench Tilghman, who was the bosom
friend and aide-de camp to General Washington
Col. Tilghman died in 1850.
I'm an autograph letter Of General Washing
written to M James ' TilgSman. the fsther o.
Colonel Tench Tilghman, June s. 1896 soon amer
the death of Colonel Tilghman, General WASH
".NO one entertained a higher opinion Of the
worth, or had imbibed sentiments OF greater
friendship for him than had done. While lIY-
ing no man could be more esteemed, and since
dead, none more lanented than Colonel Thigh
"ln General Harry Lees Memories Of the Rev.
olutionary War; IL is stated that Lieutenant
Colonel Tilghman had served from the year l776
in the character Of aid-de-camp to General Wash
tngton to the close Of the war In ISL, and was
hie lilly beloved and respected, and honored by
Washington with bearing to Congress in Phila-
delphis his official report Of the surrender Of the
British army at yorktown, Virginia, under Lord
CornHaIlis.f
"CongreFs testified their appreciation Of the
gaiiantry and services Of Colonel Tilghman by
Of Mr.. o. Tilghman::
"tBy The Uuited States in Congress assembled,
Resolvcd, That the Board Of War be directed
to present TO Lieutenant Colonel Tiighman, In
the name of the United States in Congress assem-
bled, horse properly eapaTisoned, and an elegant
sword, in testimony Of their high opinion of his
merit and ability.
"E1tFaoi from the Journal aH Of &c G'PgEsss
"Amopg the relics found In the portfolio was
the penknife which General Washington wore
and used during the whole Revolutionary War,
very entlooking instrument. If this singu-
lar-looking knife had been labeled the property
of Moses, and worn by him while conducting the
Children Of Israel from Egypt to the Promised
Land its ancient appearance would Vindicate its
claim.
Another curious relic is portrait in water
colors, OF Mama Strickland, of West Point, painted
August Is, IT'S, by General Kosciusko. This is
most admirably preserved. On the reverse side
are the following lines, written by General Kos
eiuskc, and in his handwriting:
The pencils power is here displsy'd,
A semblance just and we'll portrayal;
But to describe her worth OF heart,
Exceeds the painters, poets art
There is also q portrait of Washington by
Peale, haltlength, considered BY all who knew
lDgton. .,
Rnha1t STSErPh Letters 6 LETTERS S FSn
credit and prospects Of peace; letters from Chas.
Carroll to Colonel Tilghman on public affairs;
letter Of Rev. DR.. Gordon, of Massachusetts, to
Colonel TilghmRn; manuscript diary Of Colonel
Tilghman Of the journey Of Governor Penn and
commissioners to treat with the Six Nations Of
Indians at Albany, 1775, with full history of the
council Indian habits, condition of the country,
people, SC; plans Of battles drawn by Colonel
Tilg hman Tor Washington; letter from Hon. VIM.
Carmichael, Paris, introducing to Colonel Thigh
man Marquis De Lafayette, Baron De Kalb,
Colonel Lesser and Colonel Valfert; letter OF
Hon. Silas Dean, Minister to Paris, to General
Washington, introducing Count Pulaski; letter Of
MARQUIS De Lafayette to ladies Of Baltimore,
thanking them for clothing furnished his troops;
the original letter in French from Count Pulaski
to General Washington, rendering his services;
badge of the Society Of the Cincinnati, with the
ribbon attached, tied by General Washington's
own hand; and an English shilling, coined during
the Commonwealth, in the twelfth year Of Crom-
wells dictatorship, dated 1852.
'These letters have been admirably preserved,
and some CT them are Of historic Yalue.n
/ have thought it not inappropriate to bring
before the public a few facts in the history of a
prominent citizen Of Maryland, known and
esteemed in this community, and with whom the
writer was Intimately associated during many
years Of unreseryed friendly intercourse.
WASHINGTON, D. c., February Is, 1878.