Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1885-03-19
WASHINGTON IN A PASSION.
A story of the General at valley
Forge.

story of the General at valley
Forge.
In the year 1885, writes a CORES
pondent to The st. Louis Republican,
| was travelling to western Virginia in
one Of Neil & Moore's stage-coaches,
over the old national road, from Bal
timCre | was one of three inside
passengers, my companions being two
elderly gentlemen of fine appearance
and general information. A strip
ling and an entire stranger to the
country through when we were pass
ing, listened with great interest to
their general conversation, which
was mainly suggested by the localities
and inhabitants along our route. AT
ter passing Hagertown, ne came
upon a portion of the trail of Wash
ingtons rangers, when, in 1854, he
was sent TO look after the French
aggessions on the Ohio. This intro
duced talk concerning Washington Is
career and character. One of the
gentleman avowed himself the son of
a Revolutionary efficer-a Pennsyl-
vanian-who Tough at Germantown,
knew Washington intimately, and
was with the army during its memoir
able winters encampment at Valley
Forge. When a boy, he had often
heard his father tell an aneedote Of
our great commander that occurred
at that time, which he proceeded to
relate.
1t was universally known through
cut the army land is now a matter of
history that Washington was an eX-
ceedingly 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 the
hours between II A. NJ and 2 2. M.
was sacred to tie geaeraPs 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 Ut 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 a week.
Having assumed so dubious task,
its inprudent undertaken proceeded
10 contrive ways and means whereby
to accomplish it. To avoid unpleasant
consequences, the attempt must lind
justification in some occasion OF mo-
mentous importance. This he pre-
lo1 to IN 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 IN
formation given by a Quakeress. 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 could have to fear would be a kind
rebuke for overweening patriotic zeal.
He accordingly concocted lis story IN
set phrase, and .went-aloelt with
much misgiving headquarters:
The generals room was at the end Of
a long corridor, in which an army
sentry was walking. Being promptly
challenged by that official, something
like the following eususd:
Il wish To see the general lmmedla-
tely."
you can not, sir; you must know
the orders"
Yes, I know them, but | have a
| grave communication which 1 wish TO
make to him, forthwith.
Cant help it, sir; you must come
after 2 o'clock. have my orders, ana
| can't break them.
Friend, suppose | know OF mat
ter of vital interest t9syou, to me, to
hln. to the whole army-whlch an
hour may render fatal to us all; dom
YOU see that such things overrldes
your orders. and that the consequences
of DELAY VIII be laid at your doori l
must see him and tell him.
The sentry was staggered at his
earnestness and the apparent pressure
of the occasion, and to the applicant,
continued urgency at length sald
',All orders are to permit no interrdp.
ton of the general till O'Clock. !
dare not knock to announce you. Ii
things are as you say and you are
willing to take the responsibility, go
and do so, and the Lord save both OF
us.
The officer went to the door and
knocked. No answer. Again, stlIl
all silent within. His heart thumped
heavily, and he was more than hall
mined to forego his purpose. But
that anticipated laugh at The mess