The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1888-04-05

RropoOo4 2o0uMno09 - 0O0oGoA
We note ID congressional document
the subjoinsd interesting IMPORT submitted
BY Hon. r. IL L Davidson, Of the Com.
mites on the Library, 70 which was re-
ferrsd the House bill ~ provide Tor the
erection Of . monument to Major.G General
Nathaniel Greene on the battlefield Of the
battle Of Guilford Court House, N. c.,
fought March Is, 1871:
General Nathaniel Greene accomplished -
much 70 establish the undergraduates d the Unt-
ted States q any military leader 10 the Reyolu-
tonary War, General Washington himself sx-
BE IVES one of the most confidential friends
and advisers of Wsshineton, and the results OF
his campaigns justified the confidence placed IN
him.
A citizen of Rhode Island, he was the savior
of the Carolinas and Georgia His name U re-
vered in the whole Union, but especially In the
South, where counties and cities and towns bear
his honored name. On him were bestowed
gifts and bounties - evidence OF his greatness 10
war and goodness In peace.
No name, save that of the Incompatible Com
mander.in- Chief of the American Armies, is more
illustrious than his.
The battle Of Guiliord Court. House, fought on
the 18th of March. 1851, was the most impor-
tant engagement Of his military career. IL
broke the power Of British prestige In the South
and sent CORVALLIS, with bis shattered forces.
in precipitate retreat TO Yorktown, where, ON
The 10Th Of October, 1881, he surrendered his
whole army Of 1000 men to the combined Amer
lean and French forces.
AT Yorktown, the Government has erected Q
costly and enduring monument to American
o1Oe nd mai riOtiaun huf ambiAm of A conn.,
trys gratitude marks the spot where occurred
the memorable event which made Yorktown
possible.
Perhaps the story and seq fences OF this pivot
al battle are best told by Mr.. Benton, In his
"Thirty Years in the American Senate" in
The philosophy Of history has not yet laid hold
Of the battle Of Gulford, its consequences and ef
fects. That battle made the capture 1t Yorktown.
ton and dependence in none Il broke up the plan
Of CORVALLIS In the South, and changed the plan OF
Washington In the North. Cornwalls was tosub.
Greene turned upon him at Guilford. Washington
was occupied with Cir Henry Clinton, then in New
York with 100 British troops. He had formed
the heroic design to capture Clinton and b.: army
thereby putting end to the war. All his prepare
lions were going on for that grand consummation
when he got the news of the battle of Guilford.
the retreat Of CORVALLIS to Wilmington, his In
ability to keep the field In the South, and his re-
turn northward through the lower part Of Virginia
He saw bis advantage, an easier prey, and the same
Of them captured. would put an end to the war
Washington changed his plan, deceived Clinton,
moved rapidly upon the weaker general. captured
him aud his 1900 men aud ended the Revolutionary
war. The battle of Gulford put that capture into
Washington's hands and thus Guilford and York.
town became connected, and the philosophy of
history shows their dependence and that the lesser
event was father to the greater.
The sum this bill proposes to appropriate is
comparatively trihe to a rich and powerful
government, but it will place an imperishable
monument to him who for five years never LEFT
the hardships and dangers OF the field to visit his
family or home no privation, or peril. or suffer.
ing deferred him from the daily discharge Of
duty to his country that these States might be
free.
The nation will honor itself in honoring this
hero, who was the child of the Revolution ard
its hope in the darkest hour Of the nations his
tory.
In view Of the foregoing facts the committee
recommend the passage Of the bill.