Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-02-22


msin models Of nice and accurate
drauehtmanship; the incipicnt soldier
studying tactics under Adjutant Muse
and taking lessons in broadsword fence
IRON the soldier Of fortune, old Jacob
Van Braam--the Major and Adjutant-
General Of the Virginia frontier forces
at nineteen--we seem to see him yet
as there he stood, model OF manly
beauty in his youthful prime--a man in
all that makes man, Gre manhood's
years have been fulfilled--standing on
the threshold Of grand career-ehear-
ing his days before him. and the trumpet
of his life.r
The scene changes. Out into the
world Of stern adventure he passes,
taking as naturally to the field and the
frontier as the eagle to the air. At the
age Of twenty-one he is riding from
Williamsburg to the French post at We
mango, in Western Pennsylvania, on
mission for Governor Dinwiddie, which
requires " courage to cope with saw
ages and sagacity to negotiate with white
men in that mission which Edward
Everett recognizes a. 1.-The first move
mcnt Of a military nature which result
ed in the establishment Of American
independence. At twenty-five he
has flashed his maiden sword" has
heard the bullets whistle, and found
- something charming in the sound ";
and soon he is Colonel OF the Virginia
regiment in the unfortunate affair at
Fort Necessity. and is compelled to CAPT
tulate and retreat, losing a sixth of his
command. lie quits the service on
point Of military etiquette and honor,
but at twenty-three he reappears as
volunteer aid by the side of Braddock
in the ill-starred expedition against Fort
Duquesne, and is the only mounted Off
Ger unscathed in the disaster, escaping
with four bullet-holes through his gar
mcntS. and after having two horses shot
under him.
A PROPHECY FULFILI.ED.
The prophetic eye Of Samuel Davies
has now pointed him out ss that
heroic youth. Colonel Washington,
whom can but believe Providence has
hitherto preserved in so signal man
ner for some important service to his
country" Soon the prophecy is full
filled. The same year he is in COM
| ,norI oc ,ko Niro;n;o f,ont,ar Corcac
arduous conflicts of various fortunes
are ere long ended, and OF the 18th Of
November, 1859, he marches into the
reduced fortress of Fort Duquesne-
where Pittsburgh now stands. and her
TitanS of industry wage the eternal war
of toil-marchcS in with the advanced
guard of his troops. and plants the
British nag over its smoking ruins.
That seli-Same year Wolfe, another
Young and brilliant soldier of Britain,
the Wolseley of his time, has scaled
and triumphed On.the heights Of Abra-
han his flame of yalor quenched a
it lit the blaze of victory. Canada
surrenderS. The Seven-YearS' War is
done. The French power in America
is broken. The vast region west of the
AlIcghanes, from the lakes to the
Ohio. embracing its valley and tributa-
" streams. is under the Sceptre Of
King George. America has been made
whole to the English-speaking race. ia
become in time the Greater Britain.
Thus. building wiser than he knew
Washington had taken no small part ii
cherishing the seed Of a nasccnt nation
Mount Vernon welcomes back the sol
der of twcnty-seyen who has become ;
name. Domestic felicity spreads IT.
charms around him with the agree
able partner" whom he has taken t
his bosom. and lac dreams Of NOR
happiness than he has experiences
in the wide and busting world.
Already ere his sword had found 1t
scabbard the people Of Frederick coun
" had made him their member OF tn
House of BurgcsScs. And the qulc
years roll by as the planter. merchant
and representative, superintends hi
farm. ships his crops. posts his books
keeps his diary, natures schemes OF IN
tefnal improvement. leaps on his horS
and ciases the fox for amusement. o
rides over to Annapolis and leads tn
dance at the Maryland Capitol-lltcT
Mating between these private pursuit
and serving his people as member O
. the Legislature and justice of the COun
" Court.
But ere long this happy life Is broken
The air is electrical with the current
. of Revolution England has launche
: forth ON the fatal policy of taxing he
colonies without their consent. III
, spirit of liberty and resistance
aroused. He is 10th to part with III
, mothcr-land which he still call
, =. home" But she Is deaf to re-
/, son. The first Colonial Consrc,,
called. lie is a delegate and rides
Philadelphia with Henry and PendletoI
, The blow at Lexington is struck. II
+ SONS of the Cavaliers spring to the SD
/ Of the sons of the Pilgrims. I'll
h happy il is" he says. that a brother
. sword should bc shcathed in a brother
: breast. and that the once happy plaii
Of America are to be either drcnchcd
blood or inhabited by slaves. Sad aIte
+ native But how can ylrtuouN ma
= hesitate in his choice? " lie bccom
,f commandcr-in-chicf of the Amer
9 can forces. After another Ncy'
. wears war hc is the deliyercr
!. his country. The old contcder
+. ton passes away. The Constitute
"a is established. lIc.is twice chosen Pr
: sident OF the United States, and !
% nounccs further service. Once aga
70 Mount Vernon's grateful shades recei
. him. and there hC-wOrld-crowned he
- noy-becomcS again the simple cltlzc
N wishing his fellow-mcn Ito see
~ whole world in peace. and
A. inhabitants one band Of brother
y striving who could contribute me
: to the happiness of mankind VT
20 ont a wish for himself but to live a
* die an honest man on his farm.
ne spec of war spots the sky. Jo
III Adams calls him forth a. llcutenaI
If general and c0mmandcr-In-chlef TO lie