The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-08-28
Journal of General Washington's
Aide-de-Camp for l776.
PATRIOTISM A CENTURY AGO.
Interesting Details Of the Struggles ct
Our Fathers tor Liberty.


cation your paper of the 9th inst in relation my
father General Samuel b. Wcbb-the aide-de carnp
and private secretary OF General Washington, when
the Army of the Revolution occupied New York city
previous the battle of Long Island and The time
OF issuing by Congress OF the Declaration OF Inde-
pendenoe. There are errors in that commu caon;
which, however triling deem it expedent to
rect; and If not confined to my bed by Illness, should
have written you at length the subject That being
Impossible | enclose you what viii probably DO more
acceptable to the readers of the HERALD viz, the
manuscript sheets, taken bodily from little work
nearly ready for press designed ''cen,ennial
Offering my family; and which will be printed for
private circulation, as soon as my health will enable
me to complete It. 1t Will OF some 800 or 400
pages Revolutionary correspondence, &c. gathered
from my fathers papers; ninetenths OF which have
never been published.
Do the favor to preserve and return to me the
manuscripts enclosed. Your obcdeut servant
j. WATSON WEBB.
Extracts from the forthcoming publication
Independent of regular eight years Journal en-
bracng all passing events it appears that my father
accustomed to keep kind Of biotter composed of
unbound sheets of ioolscap, carefully scwed together
one page OF which, when ade-de-camp and private
yecretary to General Washington, he carefully drafted
lhe orders OF the day. to be issued while the oppo
'kemarKs and occurrences, &c"
In lS4j the Philadelphia Gasette contained an edito
rai stating that gentleman had recently come IN
possession OF part OF journal, &c, purportng to
have been kept by Samuel b. Webb Ia 1875; which
could fail to be Of interest his heirs if any ex-
listed; and inviting such If any, to address William
u. Reed on the subject
Immediately addressed a note to Colonel Reed an
prising him that | was the of General Samuel B.
Wnhi, cla fho xvaf
Of my old rend-who the grandson of Colonel Jo-
seph Reed and aided camp of Washington at the
my father ami subsequently, adj utant gen.
era OF the army-that, although he recently died in
this city under cloud, ard had fallen from the high
position he occupied, he hearted,
cultivated gentleman and in social lie OF the most
agreeable and fascinating men of his time HIS pub
lie career terminated with his mission to China; and,
familiar as have been with all public from
1926 to 1879 know OF but few who, socially were
Colonel Reeds equals
Ny letter ultimately brought the Journal with the
following note:-
PmLApHLrIIA Sept "a. 1916
My DEAR WEBB--I intended 10 see you before Won
lett town and say What l now must write. Your
iaihers journal: which, KIND perfect histori-
cal gen. ought 10 belong 10 yoa and you ought TO take
good OF 1t.
by the express orto-morrow, you VIII receive it, As
have some doubt OF my right to part with 1t, wish
you 10 consider II ia your hands subject to restoration
ana to say IN note 10 me. There is no probability
OF any demand being male.
Among my papers ana an incidental notice OF your
father III skirmsh on December !, liIs. Chest
WILLIAM Il. REED.
1pubsncd IN the Courier and Enquirer several ex
tracts from this journal ana subsequently, loaned
Mr. Losing the historian. W hon he returned
me, it was accompanied by the following letter.
rouGnKEErsiH Jan 6 1854
General WgBa:-
DsAR SIT hasten to comply With the request con.
hined your note OF yesterday Ny apology for
keeping the journal OF your honored father long,
Mat was waiting to lnd tme 90 make an abstract Of
Us most important particulars for preservation. Each
day brought ITS pressing duties, and deferred it, on
the receipt OF your note Gown to the task and
have The pleasure to acknowledge the qualification
which has been Afforded me
You are doubtless aware that all the remainder OF
the edition my Field Book, consumed with
harper's establishment
/ am now preparing 1t for n new and improved edi-
hon anu happy to have II power to insert in
note, the TACT that your father, aid to the Com
Chief wyoe the the reading
OF the Declaration OF Independence TO the army the
destruction OF the statue OF George III amt otner noa
bic events during the summer OF 1916 also observe
thai your atner and Colonel Joseph Reed, the
persons who met tlag from General lowe; and when
the bearer presented them with letters directed TO
Washington pu,riocay refused to receive them.
All honor the noble hearts OF Jealous OF
the sDaast couricsics due the beloved commander OF
Ihclr names and deeds. should not perish with the
grass that WAS towering when they were achieved.
Tey tru.y yours, BENSON J. TOSSING,
No. G6 South avenue.
TO General JAMES WATSON W EBh, rev olk.
also loaned the journal TO Mr. Bancroft and Wash
ingt-n Irving; both Of whom made use Of IT. Every
reader OF American history is familiar with She TACT
lhat Lord Howe supcrciiiousy addressed Official
letter ITO George Washington Esq., when re-
fused; but by whom aud under what circumstances It
was refused not known untn Colonel Reed dscov-
cred The Interior Pennsy vania, this "pcrec his
torca GEN. - denomnatcs ana for the prescrva-
ton OF which now place it IN print Very properly
General washugton's aides. Colonel Joseph Reed and
Colonel samuel b. Webb both young men, and the
latter only twenty-five, prevented the offensive missvc
ever reaching The hands Washington; who cordially
approved their conduct They consequently, again
fused letter similarly addressed day
alter and then, Lord Howe asked 'rhat his aGjutaut
general might 10 admitted to an interview with ellis
Exccenoy General Washington"
You will perceive that on the 2lst of June 1870 my
father appointed aide de-eanp Washington from
the stan OF General rgluam aud that the 12d Aaron
Burr appointed adedc-camp to General Putnam
ain place OF Major Webb, promoted" Ny father had
been made ade-deoamp to Putnam Shortly after the
battle OF Bunker Hill, in which lac was wounded ana
for his gaantry ina, occasion he was thanked IN
general orders
THE JOURNAL.
REMAEKs, oooUREKNcEs &C.
Jane 81, 1876 Agreeable To TINS days orders, Col
onel Cary ny self, removed to headquarters as
aided c-camp 10 Hts ESceicncy General WagMngtoh.
days pas the General received Information
that nOrrid pot was loot hy tie Nilo
this place aud thc adjacent towns anu villages.
Having taken Tie necessary precautions, Il Two O'Clock
In the morning number Of officers and guards
different places aud took up many o tbUr principals;
among wnota, was DAVID Matthews. Esq, Mayor %. the
CITY: aud to our great astonishmaBt nni tive or
NOR. OF tho Generals Lie guard tp os uccumpccs N
tins wicked scheme which at a concerted tine 70
ass.ssiusto Hls hxcocAcy anu The other general on
GERS, blow up tue magazine, spike The cannuu IL
wns 90 he put IN execution as soon gs' me cnomys
ncct appeared % proper Time offered before; but,
thank Cod, they are discovered, and many them IN
close custody; where, hope they VIA receive the
punishmont QUO such infamous wreichcs.
June Ply express from Canaoa we have the
dsagrecabc utcgcncc, that on the morning ol thc "a
ln.i General Thompson az The head OF l. 800 men,
utackca Tho cncFny Irois-Riycrs, supposiug them