The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1888-05-12
Hours With Men and Women Of
The Revolution.
THE LAST OF wAsHrNeroN'sL LIFE suARu

THE LAST OF WASHINGTON LIFE GUARD.
| copyrighted, 1888, by Funk & WagndHs
"The third time always conquors," de-
clares a "wise saying" found II verified
in my attempts to obtain an interview with
the latest-known survivor Of the famous
Icorps 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 Command
er-in-Chief. OF this corps the unfortunate
marty, Nathan Hale, was an original
| member. 1t consisted of one hundred aud
eigty picked men from different regiments.
1t first commander was Caleb Gibbs, of
Rhode Island.
new organization of the Guard occur
| red at Morristown, New Jersey, at the close
of the spring of 1777, when its numbers
were increased and part OF the Guard
we're mounted cavalry. Washington re.
qulred these men to be, in stature, not
more than five feet ten Inches, nor less
than five feet nine inchee-'sober, young,
active, and well-made." Gibbs was yet
their commander. He was succeeded at
near the close o; 1910, by William Colfax,
OF New Jersey. the grandfather of the late
Vice-President Schuyler Colfsx.
The uniform of the corps consisted OF a
blue coat with white facings, white waist
coat and breeches, black stockings and
black half-gaiters, and 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 banner from the Genius of
Liberty, personiied as woman leaning
upon the Union Shield, near which was the
American eagle. Upon a ribbon was the
motto of the corps-Conquor or Die. This
Gag (which have seen and sketched) was
made after the national banner of the
United States--the stars and stripes was
adopted in June, l7T7.
Informed that Sergeant Ural Knapp, the
probable last survivor Of Rashingtou'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 1t in November, 1888, were liy-
ing not far from Newburgh, on the Hud-
son, made three attempts TO visit them.
The first effort was failure; at the second
| had brief interview with Major Burnet,
and the last resulted in an interesting con-
yersation with both of the veterans, on a
pleasant September afternoon. rode first
to the residence of Major Burnet, whom /
had seen on hot evening in August. Ap-
preaching 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 wido-
open front door of the spacious entrance
hall of his dwelling. Seated there, was
entertained for an hour by his remlni-
scenes 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
a dignified address, Washington gave a
scathlng rebuke to the unpatriotic and sedi-
tious spirit manifested by the famous New
burgh Letters, In the spring Of 1888. which
were the occasion of the assemblage.
Washington enter ID the Temple nnat.
tended, after the officers were seated
said Major Burnet; ''took seat at one end
Of the long room. and In few minutes he
rose with a paper In his hand. Taking
from his walstcoat pocket pair OF silver
framed spectacles, he said, in his usual de-
liberste manner of speaking as he placed
them before his eyes, You see, gentlemen.
that have not only grown gray bat blind
In your service These words powerfully
touched every heart, and from ttst mo,
men, every soul in the room was loyal "a
the chief and the cause"
Major Bnrnets father was Scotchman,
aud his mother was q native OF Ireland.
He was lieutenant Of artillery, and was
in charge Of battery at West Poiui at the
;lme Of the discovery OF Arnold treachery.
He was RfterWard promoted 10 major, and
was one Of the officers delegated to attend
ths meeting At "The Temple Just alluded
to. He continued In the army under the
immediate command of Washington, and
was one Of the founders of the Society Of
the Cincinnati. When the Americans
marched into the city Of New York, ae
eompaDied by Washington on the dAy o.
the British evacuation, be commanded th'
rear guard. He WAS also present at the
tinal parting Of Washington with his OH
GERS at Fraunce's Tavern In Broad street.
Major Burnet was then eighty-sever
years OF age. He had seen what few mel
in modern times had beheld, namely, Ia
living representatives Of seven generation
OF his Kindred.
Sergeant Knapp lived short ulatAne
from Major BuInet. While We were Il
conversation. the vensFabls Sergeant, Bar
nsfs sanior IN sss, rode b. st tabrtsk pasa