Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-05-16
HOURS WITH MEN AND WOMEN OF THE
REVOLUTION.
THE LAST OF wAsH1NeToN's LIFE GUARD.


THE LAST OF wAsHINGToN's LIFE GUARD.
copyrighted. 1888. By Funk & Wdgnausl
s.The third time always conquers," de-
clares "wise saying" found it verified
| in nv attempts to obtain an interview with
the iatest-known survivor of the famous
corps known as "Washington's Life
Guard" which was formed, in the spring
of 1776, of trustworthy men of the Cont
| mental Army for the protection of the per-
son, papers, and baggage of the Comman-
der-in- Chief. Of this corps the unfortu-
nate martyr, Nathan Hale, was an original
member. 1t consisted of one hundred and
eighty picked men from different regi-
ments Its first commander was Caleb
Gibbs, of Rhode Island.
A new organization of the Guard occur
red at Morristown, New Jersey, at the
close of the spring of 1777, when its num-
bers were increased and part OF the Guard
we're mounted as cavalry. Washington ie-
auired these men to be, in stature, not
more than five feet ten inches, nor less than
five feet nine inches-''sober, young, active,
and we'll made.'' Gibbs was yet their
commander. He was succeeded at near
the close of 1779, by William Colfax, OF
New Jersey, the grandfather OF the late
Vice President Schuyler Colfax.
The uniform of the corps consisted of
blue coat with white facings, white waist
coat and breeches, black stock and black
half-paiters. and a cooked hat with blue
and white plume. Their flag was of white
silk. on which was painted one of the
Guard holding horse, and in the act OF
receiving a banner from the Genius of
Liberty, personifsd as woman leaning
upon the Union shield, near which was the
American eagle. Upon ribbon was the
motto of the corps-CoNQuER OR DIE
This flag (Which, have seen and sketch
ed) was made after the national banner OF
the United States-the Stars and Stripes
was adopted in June, l777.
Informed that Sergeant Ural Knapp, the
probable last survivor of Washlngton's s
Life Guard, and Major Robert Burnet, one
of the Generals escort into the city of New
York on the morning when the British
evacuated it in November, 1888, were liv-
ing not far from Newbargh, On the Hud-
son, made three attempts to visit them.-
The first effort was failure at the second
had a brief interview with Major Burnet,
and the last resulted in an interesting con-
versation with both of the veterans, on a
pleasant September afternoon. ! rode first
| had visited on hot evening in August
Approaching his house by green lane,
shaded by ancient willows planted by his
own hand, l greeted the old patriot as he
sat in his armchair just inside the wide
open front door of the spacious entrance
hall of his dwelling. Seated there, l was
entertained for an hour by his reminiscent
ces of the old War for Independence. He
gave me graphic account of the great
meeting of officers at ''The Temple" on
the camp-grounds of the Continental
Army, not far from Newburgh, where, in
dignified address, Washington gave a
scathing rebuke of the unpatriotic and
seditious spirit manifested by the famous
'sNewburgh Letters" in the spring OF
1888, which were the occasion of the as
semblage.
| ''Washington entered the Temple unat-
tended, after the officers we're seated" said
Major Burnet "took seat at one end OF
the long room, and in few minutes he
rose with paper in his hand. Taking
from his waistcoat pocket pair of silver.
framed spectacles, he said, in his usual de-
liberate manner of speaking, as he placed
them before his eyes, you see, gentlemen,
that have not only grown gray but blind
in your service These words powerfully
touched every heart, and from that mo-
ment every soul in the room was loyal to
the chief and the cause"
Major Burnet's father was a Scotchman.
and his mother was native of Ireland. he
was lieutenant of artillery, and was in
charge of a battery at West Point at the
time of the discovery of Arnold's treachery.
He was afterward promoted to major, and
was one of the officers delegated to attend
the meeting at ''rhe Temple" just alluded
to- He continued in the army under the
immediate command of Washington, an6
was one of ths founders of the Society Of
the Cincinnati. When the Americans
marched into the city of New York, ac'
companied by Washington ON the day O
the British evacuation, he commanded the
rear guard. He was also present at tn,
final parting of Washington with bis off
! GERS at Fraunce's Tavern on Broad street.
Major Burnet was then eighty-sevel
years of age. Hs had seen what few mel
in modern times had beheld, namely, tn