New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-12-20


wAsHINGToN's TROUBLES.
Sullivan was advising Washington in writing on
the 26th of December to yield and attack Phiiadel-
phia Then or soon after, Benjamin Rush was
writing to Patrick Henry that " the army OF wash
ingtOn had no General at their head" and urging
that Gates, or Lee. or a Conway would IN lew
weeks render it an irresistible body of men," The
Council and Assembly of Pennsylvania were clanor-
inc that Philadelphia might be captured ana the
British driven away. The Board of War was iuSSy
and troublesome aud mischievous. II undertook TO
send Lafayette Winter expedition against
Canada with Conway second in command, ana
with Stark and to help along this notable business
which came to nothing, it proposed to take away
one of Washingten's regiments Any man less great
and equable than he under such pressure OF
difficulties. would have thrown away his sword
II might be an Improbable, but it would be
curious. speculation, to consider what might
have been the result TO the American fortunes II
Washington had then resigned his command. and IL
il had been given to Gates, TO whom every weak sol
der and civilian was offering unlimited incense.
But Washington gave Congress and the country
very distinctly to understand that he did not IN
tend to resign. There is not an officer, ne sald'
in the service of the United States that would not
return to the sweets of domestic life with more
heartfelt JOY than | should; but mean not to
this single indomitable hero than all the nine men
to which the Congress had dwindled, and which
commanded respect neither by the force Of numbers
nor by the wisdom Of its deliberations and the con-
sistency Of its decisions!
MISERY or THE ARMY.
The suierings Of the American troops at Valley
Forge have been many times described. and squaior
pcStlence and famine are the reiterated staple OF
all descriptions. The misery seems to have kept
pace with the advancing rig0r Of the season. When
Congress sent committee 10 consult with Washing
ton Of which Charles Carroll. of Maryland. was
member. they were forced 20 report lack OF al
most every necessity. Mon were dying for want OF
straw 10 raise them from the damn Of the earth The
hospitals Of which there were many, a. there was
necessarily much sickness were utterly comforless.
l. was impossible to iuoculate cor want of straw.
upon which patients recovering from the operation
could rest. There were hrigalcs which for five
DAYS were without meat. II is not strange that
there was sometimes mutiny and frequently descr-
ton Washington said plainly TO Congress: e. I'm
loss more vigorous eXc.tonS and better REGULATIONS
take place n thr CpmmlsS}rv.' Ilrp1rtmcut lmlne-
diatclv the army must iii. solve :" and this he
fore matters were at Their worst. Yet the Congress
committee bore uncqmvocal testimony 10
the forti'udc Of the troops " Nothing, 1t
said "cau equal their suirings. except the patience
with which the faithful part ol the army endure
Them The surrounding country Tor great Us
people had becrdiminished by the ease with when
supplies could he disposed of for Bri Sh gold IN
Philadelphia. The fomelnG p9rties returned empty
handed. The horses persisted Of hunger hy hun
dreds NAKED and starving '-such is the burthen
Of all the bulletins. # the Valley Forge cncamn-
mcnt bad been fttacled by the cnemv It Is hard TO
how the little army could have escaped anHha-
ton.
COMFORT OF TIE BRITISH
Pat the British forces were far too comfortably
situated IN Philadelphia to be anxious, in that hard
season. for active service. The common soldiers
were well provided for. and the officers were
ouartered upon the citizens A kind of club
house was opened for the convenience Of the
gentlemen of the army. supported by tax
mon their pay. at which were weekly balls !
q gaming table and n room devoted 10 chess. The
foreign officer who kept She faro bnk made 2 for !
time and some Of the Young PLAYERS were ruincd !
Some of those who were CHARTERED upOu religions |
families introduced their HiatresSes into the houses
Thus opprc-Siycly invaded. II is hard TO believe !
fhai in such frivolous pursuits 40 cards. dancing, !
and private theatrical performances; the British !
forces ,,ait.d t'c Winter. b"loalUred hv little |
body Of > 900 half,tart"d troops M Valley Forge
and with the cannon OF lnCton frozen MP and
immoyabe. A night attack r.ust have forced him |
20 retreat leaving behind Hlm his sick, has altl
lcry his aninuuition and his heavy GGgCIrr. There
can hc no reasons assigned for HowC's mact01. cN-
cep; that frequent rcpul-cs bad rendered him md.
THT CONWAY C,BAI.
But the darkest portion of his melancholy story
remains 70 ha told. for the enemies vi Washington
his own officers, who nj that irving moment should
have been his faithful and answering helper5,
selected The time Of ditinly ot danger. and of en-
hirra-sneut in which 10 forward the intrigue which
sought 10 depo,e him from command. and which has
oyrrcd the names of Gates, Of Conway Of Lee, and
+ Mifln, not here TO mention any others. with
eternal nfany. Conway vino had the dubious
honor Of giving his nanc 10 the Cabal," was n
French officer Of ir,h descent who claimed to he p
chevaljer of the Order of 81 Louis He WAS one OF
tlr SilJs Deanes acquisitions. aud upOn fine strength
mainly of that persons recommendation he |
vas made by Congrrs. Brgalicr-GeneHl lie had
distinguished himself at the battle Of Brandywiuc; !
had been much annoyed a. being naseed over wien |
De Kab was made a Maior-GcntIal, and had some |
what iusolently demanded the sauc rank, being |
supported in this by persons both in and ont OF !
'ongress. and especially by Mhiio. Washington !
distinctly and earnestly opuosed Ibis promotion of a !
person who's merit the said exist eel more iu his |
,wD imagination than IN reality 80 much III |
earnest was Washington that he limited an intention |
of rcSIgnInL should Conway be promoted. IN De |
cember, I777. in spite Of these circumstances, and
Notwithstanding he was now IN 0pcuruUture with !
WaSbinxfou Congress appointed COnwa. Inspector- !
General, promoted him 20 be a Major-Gencral, made
is Office independent Of the COWmaudeT-in-C hicf. |
and referred him to the Board Of War for the rcgr-
'atious which he TO introduce. The drunken !
'olly OF Wilkinson betrayed the rets Of tle
.piratls aud the correspondence, highly dcrOgatOrV
fo the military character OF Washington. winch had
been carried Cd between Cafes. Miiflin aud CONWAY.
Il was ia q of Conwal's letters to Gates that he |
said: Heaven has been determined 70 save your |
country, or weak General and bad counsellors |
youl! have ruined it,"
wAsmNGToN's BEHAVIOR.
This was commune tied by Lord Sterling 10 Wash |
iratou Ills letter to Gates, in which he recouned
his piece OF information, master piece Of self
Command ard OF dignity. 90 considered" he said |
"the information as coming from yourself and |