The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-03-07
GEORGE wAsHINGroN,s TEMPER.
The Father of His Country Not the Placid
Saint Represented by His Portraits.

Saint Represented by His Portraits.
ID. w. Canning, in Springfield Republican.
In the year 1885 I was travelling to western
Virginia in one of NeilandM oores stage-coaehes,
over the old national road from Baltimore. l
was one of the three inside passengers, my COM
panions being two elderly gentlemen OF fine APP
pearance and general information. A STRIPPING
and an entire stranger to the country through
winch we were passing, / listened with great IN
tereSt to their general conversation, which was
mainly suggested by the localities and inhabitants
along our route. After passing Hagerstown, we
came upon a portion of the trail of WashiDgton5
rangers, when, in 1754. he was sent to look after
the French aggressions on the Ohio This in
trodueed talk concerning Washingtonfs career
and character. One of the gentlemen avowed
himself the son of a revolutionary ofiicer-a
Pennsylvanian-who fought at Germantown,
knew Washington intimately and was with the
army during it's 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 relate.
1t was universally known throughout the army
fand is now a matter of history that Washing
ton was an exceedingly methodical man, having
a stated time for every action, public and
private, of his daily life. AT his headquarters
at Valley Forge it was proclaimed in general
orders that tho hours between IL A. Nj. and 9 p.
NJ. were sacred to the generals privacy, and must
not be interrupted by any callers, except upon
business OF the utmost importance. This strict
ordinance became, one day, the topic OF CONVEX
sation at the mesS-table of some young officers,
table dared venture to disturb the General in his
rooms during those hours. 1t was taken in a
frolicsome spirit by one of them. who was to try
the experiment within a week.
Having assumed so dubious a task, its impru-
dent undertaken proceeded to ~contrive ways and
means whereby to accomplish 1T. 70 avoid un-
pleasant consequences the attempt must find
justification in some occasion of momentous i'm
portance. 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 occupying Philadelphia. This
was true. A night attack had been planned, but
was averted by given by q Quaker
cas-. Said rumor he would make his apology for
breach of orders, exculpating himself on the
ground of its intrinsic moment, and the assumed
ignorance of the commander-in chief; so that the
worst he would have to fear would be a kind re-
Duke Tor overweenlng, patriotic zeal. he ac-
cordingly concocted his story in set phrase and
went-aibeit with much misgiving-tO head
quarters. The Generals room was at the end Of
Il long corridor in which an armed sentry was
walking. Being promptly challenged by that
official, something like the following ensued:
II wish to see the General Immediately"
"You cannot, sir; you must know the orders. u
eyes. l know them; but l have a grave com
munication which wish to make to him forth
with"
Cant help it, sir; you must com after 2
WYNN a. ny OIOOI6 anu Cdn b UTGdh
them"
Friend, suppose I know of a matter of vital
interest to you, ton to him, to the whole army,
which an hour may render fatal to us all; don't
you SEQ that such a thing overrides your orders,
and that the consequences OF delay will be laid
at your door2 Unjust see him and tell him"
The sentry was staggered by his earnestness
and the apparent pressure OF the occasion. and to
the applicants continued urgency at length said:
'sAll orders are to permit no interruption of the
(rn0ara1 fill y ofoIocE daro nnt lpnoE 70 m
nounce you. If things are as you say, and you
are willing to take the responsibility, 60 and do
so. and the Lord save us both"
The officer went to the door and knocked. Nc
answer. Again, still all silent within. His heart
thuinped heavily and he was more than half
minded to forego his purpose. But that antici-
pated laugh at tho mess-table over his failure
spurred him to one more attempt. Immediately
following the third knock, a sound as of a chair
suddenly and violently pushed over a bare
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 exclamation,
What does this mean, sir" The culprit at
tempted 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 its frivolity made him
stammer in utter forgetfulness of his we'll
digested words. But not for long; for Washing
ton cut him short with, s.Begone! and consider
yourself under arrest, sir.7 AS he turned to
sneak away, he heard these further words shot
at the sentry, ''Do you know your orders9n
Eyes, General, but
'"rhen obey them, and if this occurs again, I
will thrust your bayonet through your cursed
body"
Then succeeded a bang of the door, more
heavy footballs and the usual silence.
What were the ultimate results to the officer
of this escapade my informant did not know.
He won his bet, but was accustomed to say that
he would rather encounter q drum head court
martial than to have faced that look and act of
Washington.