Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1903-02-20


took what he desired. Thornton, who
watched his general furtively, noticed
that he ate nothing but sweet po-
tatoes and turnips; the others. fam
ished, noticed nothing but the food.
Gentlemen" said Washington when
the trenchers were emptied and roth
ing remained of the feast. II have
called you together for consultation.
Gen. Varnum, what have you done for
our alleviation?"
II wrote Greene this, but have never
received an answer or even an &C.
Acknowledgement: In all human prob
ability, the army must dissolve. Many
or the troops are destitute OF meat
and are several days In arrears. The
horses are dying for want of forage
The country in the vicinity OF the
camp is exhausted. There cannot be
moral certainty Of lettering our con
dition while we remain here. What
consequences have we to nationally
expect?" Varnum folded his arms
and looked glum.
Dir. Thacher arose to say:
Gentlemen, l too have written, but
have never received the slightes. ac'
XII owle dgement. They say am feath'
cring my own most" and the doctor
laughed. 81 am-with pine boughs'
But this is what wrote:
"'Men enough cannot be found In
z1-xl;s;,.r e. IicphorUo tha mill.
tary camp duties from day to day. and
for this purpose, those who ara naked
borrow from those who have
clcthes.'" Washington looked al
Thornton with sad smile. The doctor
grew eloquent. 1.-The men have nc
material to raise their beds from the
damp ground and consequently are
suffering from disease and death. The
army, however, is not without consola
ton, for the commander-in-chief-
Washington interrupted:
THAT is bad enough, doctor, with
out endeavoring to make 1t worse DJ
appealing to the imagination" HI
cast look of affection upon the worthy
doctor, who intended to compliment
his general, then took up the CONVEX
sation himself
IL wrote Gov. Clinton a few day
ago, and my communication met witt
the same fate as the others-oblivion
| explained the situation fully, amonl
other things writing: For some day
past there has been little less than
famine in the camp. A part OF tn
army has been a week without an.
kind of flesh, and the rest, three o
four days. Naked and starving a.
they are, we cannot enough admir-
the Incompatible patience and idelit.
OF the soldiers, that they have not, err
this, been excited by their suffering
to a general mutiny and desert:on.
Gentlemen" continued Washing
ton, 81 confess to you that. recently
my mind has been in revolt. fee
as does a deserter VINO has been In
humanity treated and fees from hi
prosecutors, leaves the cause OF hi
tyrant and seeks his own welfare. Bu'
in the midst of these chaotic thoughts
there is one hope brightly burnin
within me. We are not fighting TO
ourselves nor for the politicians. w
are struggling to establish a country
we are assisting at the birth of ne'
and glorious nation, one whose go,
eminent is based upon human liberty
/. countless throng, myriad sufferin
people constantly throng my brain an
hold out their hands appealingly. Wer
to cast away the sword now, as
have been tempted to do. what answe
shall | make to those appealing one'
who place their hopes on me and upo
us all? 1t is their sacrifice. not our
and If we who complain of a little SUI
fering now. privation hunger and coli