The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-08-14
4istoriral.
AUGUST, l77S-is75.

The month Of August, hundred years
ago, aud, indeed, the whole period from
the date Of Bunker Hill, was unmarked
by any signal public events until near its
close, when there came indications Of ac-
tiyity, the sequel of which fell in subse-
quent months But, while general his
tory, devoted to the record Of great events,
passes over intermediate periods in silence,
the reader of more particular narrations
discovers that during these times of ap-
parent quiet, important matters were in
silent progress.
The utmost skill and prudence of the
American Commander-in. Chief was taxed
TO reduce the volunteer army to some idea
of discipline; to soften and prevent jeal-
ousies and Misunderstanding among Of
6cers to parry the well-meant interfer-
ence of Provincial Congresses and Com
mittees Of Safety aud to utilize the zeal
Of leading volunteers, who were ready to
distinguish themselves with such perfect
indifference to their own safety, as made
daring without prudence their gauge Of
patriotism. Amid all these perplexities,
there was the show of military power to be
maintained against the British forces.
Entrcnchments were thrown up at various
points around the town Of Boston, where
the British forces were confined. These
works seem to have been really little more
than targets for the British artillery; for
there was no powder in the Continental
E magazines to waste in mere artillery COM
bats without immediate necessity, and the
y FIRE Of the British on the Continental
works was, for the most part, unreturned.
In the light thrown by research upon the
condition of both armies, it now appears
probable that there was no time when the
E <besieged could not have beaten of the
besiegers
u The utmost vigilance was necessary to
prevent communication between the dis
affected within the American lines aud
The British authorities. In diary kept
BY an American Colonel, appears the fol-
lowing entry; "Went over to Cambridge,
fo watch the Tories !" There was dou-
bic watch indeed to keep; for it was as
necessary to prevent the American army
Itself from knowing its own weakness, as
& 10 hide the fact from the British. Only
one case Of treachery was discovered, and
this was developed at latter date. The
enforcement Of discipline seems to have
Furnished the volunteer army with suf-
Efcient excitement; and, whether justly OF
hot, General Charles Lee is held in the
zraditions Of New England to have been
b severe in some directions as he was lax
b other and personal matters. The ne.
eessity of discharging the larger part Of
pur army, and filing the void with recruits
ulmost under the enemy's fire, may have
originated in no small degree in the transi-
<ion from volunteer military picnic to
<he conditions Of regular service And
bis remark may be made without preju-
f|ice 10 the patriotism of the volunteers OF
DC character Of the officers A Texan
bmnlander once said that, in the Texan
Psr with Mexico, he never could "orler
|is men, but he could cal them. "Come,
&uss!' always assured him Of their hearty
<opport. But to aorder" they were not
zecustomed.
DR. Thacher records the arrival in Au-
Eost Of several companies Of riaemen,
Anmbcring more than fourteen hundred
t|len. They came from Pennsylvania,
<nryland and Virginia 'They are re-
znaxkably stout aud hardy men, many Of
<hen exceeding six feet in height. They
&re dressed 10 white frocks, or rife shirts
ma round hats. These men are remark
BE Cor fhs asearacy Of their aim. AT a
view a company Of them, while on a
1|eick advance, 6rsd their balls into OBJ
stts of seven inches diameter at the dis
<soce Of two hundred yards" Such meu
1ere great acquisition as skirmishen
4nd sharp shooters, but they added vel
6Iother element to the incongruous char
86ser of the American army. Irving, in
4Is life Of Washington, quotes from a man
1<cript memoir an incident illustrative oi
81 manner in which Washington could
81 10 sudden emergencies, A party oI
darbleheade,s, fishermen who affected
<zand jackets aud vide trousers, became
anged in q nehaiEag" contest with tn,
I|ntjsg shirts in the streets Of Cambridge
om words the parties came to blows, and
adherents Of both sides came rushing
Very soon hundreds Of men were
prously at fsticufIs, and a serious dis
Fbnnce was imminent, Washington ap
Afed upon the scene, mounted, but ae
npanied only by hjs servant. tHs