Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-02-28
washington Taking Command Of the
American Troops.

American Troops.
There are times and circumstances in the
history of nations which seem like epochs3'
so sublime are they in themselves and such
a transcendent influence do they eX III
over subsequent events. Around such
crisis there clusters more than ordinary in
terest and all seem to be in breathless sus-
pense. awaiting the result These times
are sublime in themselves and insenslbly
elevate and inspire the actors until they
seem to be imbued with spirit and enthu-
siasm not their own. To II certain extent
their whole future lives are being moulded
and fashioned by the influences OF an
hour,
There seems to have been several such
times in the history Of our own nalloni
but, though to its key the poet has never
tuned his Tyre, none have been iraugnt'
with more sublime results than that IN
which Washington took command OF the
troops at Cambridge. America had Just
then commenced the grandest struggle for
freedom which the world has ever Witness
ed The storm cloud which hadso long
been hanging threateningly over their
heads had at length burst. When, at ilrst
no larger than mans hand, it appeared
in the heavens, prophetic minds saw IN 1t
the future hurricane, and, us it deepened
in color and gathered strength, even the
most conservative were forced to confess
its magnitude and terrible import.
But now the crisis had come, America
had assumed the offensive and must abide
the consequences. American soil had
been desccratcd by foreign troops; Amerl-
can fresides had been proianed by sac,
religious soldiery; American rights had
been trampled upon by English edlcts and
their brutal enforcement; American petit
tions for redress had been scorned by
British lords; and more than all this, pa
triot American blood had been shed by
English bnvonets; hence, MS one man the
whole people arose TO avenge their burn
inc wrongs and achieve their indepen-
dencc. The battles of Concord and Lex
ington has been fought; lin the name OF
the great Jehovah and the Continental
CONGRESS- the brave Allen has compelled
TicOnderooa to surrender to his proves !;
the Canadian campaign has been carried
on and finally lost; Bunker Hill has been
stained with the lifc-blood OF the mar
tyred Warren and his heroic compeerS;
and now within full view Of that sacred
SPOT are the American army drawn up TO
receive its commander-in-ch 1t is the
third of July, rs, IL clear and beautiful
day. Earth is made respondent by the
clear sun in an unclouded sky. The way
inc fields of grain and the fuIl-groWn
grass lend their aid to beautlty the
scene. The distant hillsides are dotted by
herds of domestic kline. Rural hamets
are scattered here and there, and every
thing seems to indicate peace and plenty
But alas. the destroyer is here. From
Prospect Hill can be seen Boston, its con-
secraled spires and modest dwellings, but
Boston is possessed by British troops
At the east rises Bunker Hill, scarcely yet
dry from the blood of conflict, and from
whose summit there proudly and scorn-
fully floats the British ensign. With Il
small glass can easily be seen the brilliant
uniforms and golden epaulettes of the
hated Redcoats. There is joy and revelry
in the British camp, but how, when just
below are the still smouldering embers of
burning CharlestOwn and the ruined homes
of her citizens; can the Americans be
Otherwise than doWn-cast? Well may the
heart of their COMMUNICATIVE be sad
as he contemplates the view. The Eng
fish troops are well disciplined, well
equipped, hardy veterans, who have met
and overcome the tried legions of Europe
and consider themselves invncible. The
Colonial forces are fresh recruits, with
scarcely any arms and munitions, no pre-
vious drill or military discipline. The
British troops are sustained and encour-
aged by the government OF IL country upon
whose soil the sun never sets, while the
American army have not seen the form of
government to rely upon, nothing but
their own strong hearts and their trust in
the cause of right.
To such in extremity are they reduced
that even the classic walls Of Harvard the
dedicatory Offering of the infant state to
the genius OF learning, are used rs bar
racks for these noble defenders of free
dom.
Upon the plain of Cambridge are u.s.
scmbled the fourteen thousand men upon
whose fidelity to their sacred trust depend,
all the future of their country. Then
persons show poverty and want, but theil
features are beaming with earnest purpose
and lofty thought. They are all alten
ton now. They are arrayed in martial
order Their leaders, standing in theil
front, impatiently await the coming O
their chief. From the surrounding town.
are gathered the rustic villagers gazing il
silent awe upon the sublime scene.
But bark rustic along the lines. Yon-
der comes Washington, mounted on Il
fOaming stced, attended by II numerous ret
nue, his noble form stands out in com
handing contrast IT'S he slowly approaches
y sponLlne' us murmur runs along til,
ranks, W hlch merges il to one grand chcel
as he halts before them and with the ole
time courtesy, gracefully salutes them
All at once the slumbering ardor of the
soldiers seems to be aroused. In the hero
before them they see all the beauty and
hnIghLlneaS OF The chvalre age, combin
Ell with the ch ulcteristics of the true
modern hero. Under such IL commander
they can encounter any danger, face any
peIll-and then, standing under the wide
spreading branches of an elm, which ha!
since become historic, Washington drew
his sword and gave the military salute
and then formally took command of the
army for the defense Of the liberties O
America. Truly it was II sublime scene.
Like one Of Old, when he assumed com.
. ~ va Of 81 l.. /
up ont Of bondage, he knew not for how
long Il term OF service he had entered, h,
only knew it WAS his duty to lead the
American people up from the bondage O
English despotism to the grandeur of tru,
freedom. And the same God in whom
the ancient lawgiver placed his trust
chcered and sustained him during all tn,
long and weary years which followed
gave him courage and strength to endur,
encouragement and sometimes defeat. an,
III last WIN glorious victory. d.
----- .--az-.----
Rev. Emory j. Haynes, prominen
Methodist preacher, Of Brooklyn, N. Y,
leaves that denomination and Joins tn
baptist. lie is Il son of Mr.. Haynes, VIII
used to preach at Randolph and Nowbury
Mrs. Elizabeth Bright, sistor-in.law O
John Bright, the English statesman, i,
raveling through this country. She wa
recently i'll Baltimore, where she had oc
casion 10 express approval of the woman
suffrage movement.
The vital statistics of Burlington, fol-
1876, show 70 marriages against l06 il
lS75-a falling off II full third: %.