The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1900-03-22

six together with large fires at our feet,
leaving orders with the walters to keep it
well supplied with fuel during the night,
We could procure neither shelter nor for
age for our horses, and the poor animals
were tied to trees in the woods for twenty
four hours without food, except the bark
which they peeled from the trees. Lieu
tenant W. and myself rode to Morristown,
where we dined and fed our starving
horses at tavern. General Washington
has taken his head quarters at Morris
town, and the whole army in this depart
ment are to be employed in building log
huts for winter quarters. The ground is
marked out, and the soldiers have COM
menced cutting down the timber of oak
and walnut, of which we have a great
abundance. Our baggage has at length
arrived. The men find it very difficult to
pitch their tents on the frozen ground, and
notwithstanding large fires, we can scarce
ly keep from freezing. In addition to
other sutferings, the whole army has been
for seven or eight days entirely destitute
of the staff of life; our only food is miser-
able fresh beef, without bread, salt, or
vegetables.
January, Q7S0) On the 3rd instant,
we experienced one of the most tremend-
Gus snow storms ever remembered; no
H.,
utes without danger of his life. Several
marques were torn asunder and blown
down over the officers heads in the night,
and some of the soldiers were actually
covered while in their tents, and buried
like sheep under the snow. My comrades
and myself were reused from sleep by the
calls of some officers for assistance: their
marquee had blown down, and they were
almost smothered in the storm before
they could reach our marquee, only few
yards and their blankets and baggage
were nearly buried in the snow. We are
greatly favored in having a supply of
straw for bedding; over this we spread all
our blankets, and with our clothes and
large fires at our feet, while four or five
are crowded together, preserve ourselves
from freezing. But the sutferings of the
poor soldiers can scarcely be described,
while on duty they are unavoidably ex-
posed to all the inclemency of storms and
severe cold; at night they now have bed
of straw on the ground, and sing le
blanket to each man; they are badly clad,
some are destitute of shoes. We have
contrived kind of stone chimney out
side, and an opening at one end of our
tents gives us the benefit of the fire with
in. The snow is now from four to six feet
deep, which so obstructs the roads as to
prevent ou1 receiving supply of provls-
ions For the last ten days we have re-
ceived but two pounds of meat man,
and we are frequently for six or eight
days entirely destitute of meat. and then
as long without bread. The consequence
is, the soldiers are so enfeebled from hun
ger and cold, as to be almost unable to
constructing their huts.
During the summer of 1850. Colonel
Jackson's command was ordered to West
Point. While there, the treason of Arnold
took place, and Mr., Dickey was an eye
witness of the execution Of Major Andre,
which soon followed. The account of
+t,; 10
was substantially the same as that given
in the Surgeon journal, as follows:
October 2nd.-Major Andre is no
more among the living. | have just wit
messed his exit. 1t was a tragical scene of
the deepest interest. During his confne-
ment and trial, he exhibited those proud
greatness and dignity of mind. Not a
murmur OF sigh ever escaped him, and
the civilities and attentions bestowed upon
him were politely acknowledged Having
left mother and two sisters in England,
he was heard to mention them in terms of
the tepderest affection, and in his letter to
Oh IlcuIy Cilutou, liz ItCoiuHueHutu
them to his particular attention.
"The principal guard officer, who was
constantly in the room with the prisoner,
relates that when the hour of his execu-
ton was announced to him in the morn
ing, he received it without emotion, and
while all present were affected with silent
gloom, he retained firm countenance,
with calmness and composure of mind.
Observing his servant enter the room in
tears, he exclaimed, Leave ME till you
can show yourself more manly J" His
breakfast being sent to him from the
table of General Washington, which had
been done every day of his confinement,
he partook of it as usual, and having
shaved and dressed himself, he placed his
hat on the table, and cheerfully said to the
guard officers, 81 am ready at any mo-
ment, gentlemen, to wait on you.' The
fatal hour having arrived, a large detach-
ment of troops was paraded, and an i'm
mense concourse of people assembled; al
most all our general and field officers, ex-
cepting his excellency and his staff, were
present on horse back; melancholy and
gloom pervaded all ranks, and the scene