The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1883-10-10
Ragged, Hungry, Unpaid, but Patriotic.

airy army WAS encamped along the Hudson
near the present city of Newburg After the sur
gender OF yorktown In October 1881, the con-
tinental troops had gone into winter quarters at
that placs and in New Jersey to be ready in the
spring for operations against the city Of New
York, then in the possession OF the British. A
change bad, however, come over public opinion
10 England Lord North, the prime minister had
received the news Of the los Of COrnwalli,' army
as a man would receive a bullet In his heart"
There were pacif speeches and motions in par.
Lament. The impression had gone abroad that
peace was near at hand. the states indicated
their belief that the war was over by their tardi
ness or neglect in furnishing the levies Of troops
and supplies made by co gress at the solicita-
ton OF Washington who was ever on his guard
against the dupicitv and the perverse 81 s.
tenn of British policy" The officers and SOL
ders Of the army showed their confidence in
the coming OF peace by greatly relaxing the
discipline OF the camp. Great discOn,ents, say
the historians, prevailed at this time IN the
army, among officers and men. The neglect Of
the states to furnish the money voted by con-
gress left the army almost destitute. There
we're days when the troops we're absolutely in
want OF provisions. The pay of the army was
also greatly in arrears. The good faith of con-
gress was doubted and fears were expressed
among the soldiers that In the event of peace,
their services no longer needed "they would
be disbanded with their claims uni quidsted
and Themselves cast upon the community pen
niless, and untitled by long military habitudes
for the gainful pursuits OF peace"
sPURNs CROWN
The suffering and discomfort in the army
bore their natural fruit among men whose
thoughts we're withdrawn by the negotiations
for peace from the stern duties which, for seven
years, had given them no idle hours in which
to contemplate their personal ills. Congress
WAS distrusted, but implicit faith was reposed
In Washington The civil power had shown
itlal linz h1a "A tho,x.
and redress grievances, and factions began to
form which looked to the military arm OF the
confederation for an energetic government. At
this time Washington received r letter from
Colonel Lewis Nicola, veteran officer in whom
he trusted, faithful soldier and a simple
minded man, who had often warmly interceded
in behalf of the suffering army. Nicola was
evidently the organ of a military faction. lie
attributed all the ills experienced and antici-
pated by tie army and the people to the exist
ing form OF government, condemned repub-
lican form, advised a monarchy like that of
England. and in Washington, whose abilities
had led them " thr ugh difficulties apparently
insurmountable by human power, to victory
and glory he saw the man possessing the
qualities which would be most likely to conduct
and direct them lin the smoother paths of
peace" The letter closed with proposi-
ton to give Washington the title of KING
when AL other things were once ad-
justed." The suggestion, the opportunity, might
have tempted man OF meaner ambition;
from Washington 1t drew an indignant re-
Spouse. with mixture Of great surprise
and astonishment," he wrote: " / have read
with attention the sentiments you have SUBJ
mtted to my perusal. Be assured, sir no &C.
currence in the course of the whole War has
given me more painful sensations than your
information of there eing such ideas existing
in the army rs you have expressed, and must
view with adherence and reprehend with Sc
verify. | Am at much loss to con-
ceive what part Of my conduct could have
| given encouragement to an address which to
me seems big with the greatest mischief that
| can befall my country. II am not deceived
in the knowledge Of myself, you could not
have found person to whom your schemes
| are more disagreeable." He expressed, what
| all his acts had shown, sincere wish to see
ample Justice done TO the army, pledged the
| exertion of his powers and influence, in con-
stitutioual way, ito the utmost of his abilities"
to effect this object, and conjured his mis-
| guided friend, by every consideration Of self,
| country or respect for his commander to ban
ish these thoughts of monarchy and king
from his mind, and never communicate, rs
| from himself or any one else a sentiment of
| like nature" The crushing power of a rebuke
| from Washington is proven bal. The above,
administered with all the energy of aroused
| and indignant resentment of a personal dis
honor secretly devised, secured the Father
! OF his country" immunity from similar pro-
posal.
| RISING TEMPEST QUELLED.
Early in August, 1889, Washington was noti-
| fed by the British commander at New York
| that peace negotiations had commenced at
| Paris The American commander had learned
| to distrust his enemy and maintained the strict
est guard Jealousy and precaution," he
| thought, can do no harm. Too much conf
dence and supineness may be perDcous in
| the extreme" The French army, which had
| been encamped in the SOUTH for the good OF
| the common cause was moved to the banks OF
the Hudson. The greatest goodwill prevailed
between the allied forces, but the exchange OF
bospitalities with their gay neighbors was linn
tied by the poverty of the Americans. Wash
| ington gives pitiful picture of the dire ex-
tremity of his military comrades at this time,
| in letter to the secretary of war. !" Only
| conceive" he says, 1.-the modification they
must suffer, even the general officers when thu "
| cannot invite a French officer, a visiting friend,
| or a travelling acquaintance, to a better repast
than whskey hot from the still. and not al
| ways that, and bit OF beef without vegetables
will afford them" Out Of the penury and rags
| and hunger which the neglect of the govern
ment had made the miserable lot of these war
| worn veterans came one of the severest tests OF
| WashingtOn's wonderful power over his COM
patriots. What was the actual condition of
| things in the American camp may be premised
| from the emphatic language in which he repre-
scented to congress the sufferings and the state
Of feeling in the patriot army. reduction in
| the military forces, to take effect January l.
was contemplated. "While premise, said
| Washington, THAT no one | have seen or
heard of appears opposed to the principle of
| reducing the army as circumstances may re-
quire, yet | cannot help fearing the result of
| the measure in contemplation when see such
a number of men, goaded by thousand stings
| of reflection on the past and OF anticipation on
the future about to be turned into the world,
soured by penury and what they call the in
| gratitude OF the public, involved in debts,
| without one farthing to carry them home after
having spent the flower OF their days, and
| many OF them their patrimonies in establishing
the freedom and independence of their country,
and suffered everything that human nature
is capable OF enduring on this side of death -
repeat 1t, that when consider these irritating
| circumstances, without one thing to soothe
their feelings or dispel their gloomy pros
poets, | cannot avoid experimenting that
q train Of evils will follow, of very Sc
rious and disturbing nature" The great.
| hearted commander who felt so deeply and
! pleaded so earnestly for his soldiers dis
claimed any purpose unduly to heighten the
shades of the picture" He " could give anec
dotes OF patriotism and distress which have
scarcely ever been paralleled, never surpassed IL
the history OF mankind" He warned congress
that " the patience and long suffering OF this
army are almost exhausted" and expressed
his gloomy forebodings rs to what might hap
pen in the leisure and dleness of winter quar-
tiers. His apprehensions were in some degre,
realized. The arrearages of pay were the topi,
of constant and angry comment The treasury
was empty, the states were reluctant to Ia,