The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1885-06-20
IN A PASSION.
A story OF General Washington at valley
Forge.

q
Forge.
In the year 1885 I was travelling to
Western Virginia in one of Neil &
Moore's stage-coaches, over the old
national road, from Baltimore. was
one of three inside passengers, my COM
panions being two elderly gentlemen of
fine appearance and general informa-
ton. A STRIPPING and an entire stranger
to the country through which we were
passing, listened with great interest
to their general conversation, which
was mainly suggested by the localities
and inhabitants along our route. After
portion of the trail of Washingtons
rangers, when, in 1854, he was sent to
look after the French aggressions on
the Ohio. This introduced talk con-
corning Washington's career and char.
acter. One of the gentlemen avowed
himself the son of Revolutionary Off
cer-a Pennsylvanian-who fought at
Germantown, knew Washington init
mately, and was with the army during
its memorable winters encampment at
Valley Forge. When a boy he had
often heard his father tell an anecdote
of our great commander that occurred
at that time, which he proceeded to re-
late.
1t was universally known throughout
the army (and is now matter of histo-
ry) that Washington was an exceeding
ly methodical man, having stated time
for every action. public and private, of
his daily life. At his headquarters at
Valley Forge it was proclaimed in gen.
eral orders that the hours between
eleven a. m. and two p. m. was
sacred to the Generals privacy
and must not be interrupted by
any caller, except upon business OF
the utmost Importance. This strict or
dinance became, one day, the topic of
conversation at the mess table of some
young officers, one of whom wagered
$40 that not man at the table dared
venture to disturb the General in his
rooms during those hours. 1t was taken
in frolicsome spirit by one of them,
who was to try the experiment within
week.
Having assumed so dubious task, its
imprudent undertaken proceeded to con-
trive ways and means whereby to ac-
complish it. To avoid unpleasant con-
sequences, the attempt must find justi-
fication in some occasion of momentous
Importance. This he pretended to find
in a rumor just then prevalent in the
camp of an intended surprise of the
army by the British at that time occu-
plying Philadelphia. This was true. A
night attack had been planned, but was
averted by information given by a
Quakeress. Said rumor he would make
his apology for breach of orders, excul-
pating himself on the ground of its in
trinsic moment and the assumed igno-
rance of the Chief so that
the worst he could have to fear would
be kind rebuke for overweening patri-
otto zeal. He accordingly concocted his
story in set phrase, and went-albeit
with much misgiving-to headquarters.
The Generals room was at the end of a
long corridor, in which an army sentry
was walking. Being promptly chal-
lenged by that official, something like
the following ensued:
Il wish to see the General, imme-
ately."
'You can not, sir; you must know the
orders"
Eyes, l know them, but have grave
communication which wish to make to
him forthwith"
Cant help it, sir; you must come
after two o'clock. have my orders,
and can't break them"
Friend, suppose know of a matter
of vital Importance to you. to me, to
him, to the whole army-which an hour
may render fatal to us all don't you
see that such thin gs oyerrides your or
ders and that the consequences of delay
will be laid at your door? must see
him and tell him."
The sentry was staggered at his earn
estness and the apparent pressure of the
occasion, and to the applicants con-
tinued urgency at length said: "All or
ders are to permit of no interruption of
the General till two o'clock. dare not
knock to announce you. If things are
as you say, and you are willing to take
the responsibility, 60 and do SO, and the
Lord save both of us"
1.-THE officer went to the door and
knocked. No answer. Again. still all
silence within. His heart thumped
heavily, and he was more than half
minded to forego his purpose. But that
anticipated laugh at the mess-table over
his failure spurred him to one more at
tempt. Immediately following the third
knock a sound as of chair suddenly
and violently pushed over bare floor
was heard, followed by q heavy
tramp of boots toward the door.
With a quick jerk of the bolt it
flew open, and Washington, with head
thrown back and face flushed with
anger, stood before him with the excla-
nation. what does this mean, sirp"
The culprit attempted to summon up
his concocted story; but the expression
of his interrogator's face, such as he had
never seen before, and the access of a
sudden consciousness of his frivolity
made him stammer in utter forgetful-
ness of his well-digested words. But
not for long, for Washington cut him