The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-08-02
The Generals Address.
| ElAs Story of the Dark Days Of the
W. Revolutionary War - ~

Va Story of the Dark Days Of the
W %Revolutiona1ry War - -
The sufferings Of the American army
during the Revolutionary war were Be-
we're. The American Congress was &C.
E6cused of not treating the army fairly,
> and at one time there was great danger
that the troops would leave the field,
Washington appealed to Congress at
this juncture, but no heed was paid to
~ his request. In writing to the secretary
N Of war on the subject he said "Only
conceive the modification the troops
must suffer (even the general oficers),
-, when they cannot invite French Off
Ger or travelling acquaintance to-a better
dinner than bad whisky (and not always
s that and q bit of beef without vegetables
- viii afford them"
Congress, though it professed de-
sire that the army shouldreceive justice,
< declared its inability to do anything.
until the separate States were consult
ed. ATcommittee appointed tomake
knoFa thsir grievance to Congress re-
turned and reported their i'll success.
This report fell like fire on the suf-
fering army, and it was evident that
some decisive action would be devel-
yloped5 before long, At length, on the
tenth of March, it took form in an
anonymous address chat was distributed
through the army, calling on the officers
sb meet next day to decide son the meas
ures that should be adopted to obtain
redress of their grievances.
- This address, it was ascertained years
after, was written by Major Armstrong,
Faid-de camp TO fGenerals Gates. It's
{ language was we'll calculated to set on
fire the = army that was already
y prepared for an explosion, The
2 addresss commenced with the state
meht of~ tie disappointment felt
at the report Of. the Indifference OF
the government to their rights, say
s#S;ing That Faith has its limits as well
Asas its temper, and there are points be-
yond which neither can be stretched
without sinking into cowardice or
{ plmging into creduity.s He then
stakes rapid survey OF the past recit-
/ Sing their devotion, their suferings,
and their wrongs, and in a series Of
scornful questions asks them how
IL their faith and patience have been re-
warded.% After arousing their indig-
nation by this recital of their wrongs,
Rndtbe contemptuous treatment with
Which their humble Petitions had been
em received, be burst forth {: ''If this,
II then, be your treatment while the swords
Z you wear are necessary for the defense
.g,of America, what have you to expect
~ from peace, when your voice shall
sink aud your strength dissipate by
division, when those very swords, the
and companions of your
glory, shall be taken from your sides
q and mo mark Of military distinction
, left you but your wants, infirmities
- and scarsa Can you then consent to
ne the only suffs rers by this revolution,
and retiring from the field, grow old in
poverty, wretehedness and contempt
Can you consent to wads through the
vile mire, OF despondency, and owe the
i miserable remnant of that life to charity
which has hitherto been spent in
;. honor Z, IF you can, 60; and carry
with you the jests Of Tories and + the
scorn Of Wings, the ridicule, and what
~ is worse, the pity OF the world; 60,
d starve, and be forgotten !" But he
adds: eff you revolt at this, and would
): oppose tyranny under whatever garb it
II may assume, awake, attend to yonr
. situation, and redeem yourselves. If
the present moment be lost, every
". future effort will be in vain, and your
threats then will be empty as are your
entreaties now." Having thus artfully
kindled the passions of the army, he
boldly sketched out the only course to
pursue. "Draw up" he says, "a last
remonstrance, and tell Congress with
them rests the, responsibility of the
" future; THAT If redress is not given,
and peace returns. nothing but death
shall separate you from your arms; if
the war continues, you will retire to
some unsettled country to smile in
turn, and mock when their fear
cometn.'" .,,-t> i.-
This address, so well adapted to stir
up the passion and bring about sudden
and violent action, had been scattered
through the army without the knowl-
:. edge OF Washington. when at last it
was brought to him and he read it over,
cloud dark as midnight settled on his
conference.-the day Of evil, which he
9 80 long dreaded, nay, had foretold, had
at last come. The labor Of seven long
years was in moment to be overthrown.
The earthquake had opened ct his very
feet, and he gazed with sinking heart
into the gloomy abyss The worst Of it
was, there was not an assertion Or state:
Ili ment in that fiery address that he could
contradict. The appeal alone to red' ess
themselves he could not meet, and this
could be done only by connter appeal
TO their patriotism and their faithi his
promise, that had never been broken.
But the first great object was to gain de-
lay. The meeting had been called for