Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1879-08-20
CLEARFIELD, Pa, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 1879

menaced with danger Perceiving
this, Washington took immediate meas
ures for their protection and for the
recovery Of the lost posts. His army,
which had wintered at Middlebroolx
in New Jersey, was moved early in
June to "Tbo Glove fertile valley
far in the rear Of Haverstraw, and late
in the month he made his headquar.
ters at New Windsor, on the Hudson,
few miles above the Highland, where
he perfected plans for an active cam.
paign against the invaders.
Anticipating an attempt to recap
ture the forts, Sir Henry placed q
strong garrison in each, and ordered
them to be well strengthened then
he returned TO New York with ships
and soldiers and sent them on q ma.
rauding expedition TO tho coast Of
Connecticut.
THE LIGHT INFANTRY.
Washington had a corps of light in.
fantry, composed of picked men, draft
ed from the various regiments of the
Continental army, and organized at
that time into four regiments under
command, respectively, of Colonies
Butler, Meigs, Putnam and Febiger.
Butler was one of a gallant band of
four brothers who fought the good
fight for American independence from
the beginning. He had been Wayne's
chief support in his hard conflict on
the field of Monmouth year before
He was only twenty-five years of age,
but was already distinguished for mil
itary genius, GOODNESS and valor. Meigs
was brave soldier, forty years old,
who had won the thanks of Congress
and the gift OF sword for gallantry
two years before. Putnam was cou-
sin OF "Old Put, ,"-as the soldiers fond
ly called him-was a skillful engineer,
u soldier of the French and Indian
war, and constructor OF Fort Putnam,
near West Point. lie was forty-one
years of age and iull Of zeal for the
American cause. Febiger was a young
Danish soldier, thirty-two years of age,
who had fought for the freedom of the
colonies ever since he was engaged in
the fiery scenes on Bunker Hill The
corps commanded by these good sol.
dicrs were considered the elite of the
army, and Washington chose them for
the execution of his design against
Stony and Verplanck's points To the
bold and faithful young soldier, Gen
eral Anthony Wayne, then thirty-fve
years of age, Washington gave the
command OF this corps on the lst of
July, l779. This officer was gratified
recipient of the honor, and was proud
OF the confidence OF the Commander.in-
Chief Wayne was scrupulously neat
in bis personal appearance; had ex-
quisite taste in dress, and was always
disturbed by any violation of good
judgment in costume or manners. He
was particularly disturbed by the APP
pearance OF his corps when he took
command OF them. Through the neg.
lect OF poverty of the commissary de-
partment they were scantily clothed
in varied, soiled or ragged uniforms or
no uniforms; insufiiciently fed, and
lax in manners and discipline. lie
Immediately pleaded for reformation,
and asked particularly for supply of
new uniforms for the whole CORPS
believing in the moral influence of
dress. 81 must acknowledge he wrote
to Washington, "that have a preju-
dice in favor of an elegant uniform and
soldierly appearance, so much so, that
| would much rather risk my life and
reputation at the head of the same
men, clothed and appointed as ! could
wish, with a single charge of ammuni-
ticn, than to take them as they appear
in common with sixty rounds of cart
ridges. 1t may be false idea, but /
can't help cherishing it,"
Washington agreed with Wayne,
but they were compelled to bend TO
circumstance The army was power
ty.smitten. Only week before they
were to enter upon a great un-
dertaking TO be mentioned pres
ently) when they had been twelve
Gays IN camp IN tne rocky re-
gionsof the Donderberg, the corps had
received only two days ratlons of
fresh provisions and three of rum.
Not particle of forage had been fur
nished for the horses, excepting the
scanty tufts of grass that shot up
among the stones; and the store OF
the commissary Of clothing was empty.
So Wayne was compelled to lead his
corps, in their piebaId and worn-out
uniforms, to the performance of extra
ordinary deeds of bravery. These
deeds were performed under cover of
night, when the meanest and the most
gorgeous uniforms were the same to
the human eye.
RECoNNoITERING.
| From his quiet nook at New Wind.