Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-19
INSPIRED WASHINGTON
MILITARY CAREER OF HIS ELDER
BROTHER, WHO FOUGHT SPAIN.
Lawrence Washington's Service Under
Admiral Vernon on Isthmus
Of Darien.

From the New York Tribune.
In view of the present friction between
this country and the republic of Colon
bfa over the isthmian canal and the Sc
cession of the state of Panama, 1t may be
interesting to recall an almost forgotten
and inglorious episode of the eighteenth
century, in which Lawrence Washington,
the elder brother of George, played a
prominent part and indirectly exerted a
marked influence upon his brothers ca
reer. Wars were very frequent between
the European powers in those days, and
generally over some event of no great
Importance. But, as In the Boer war, be-
meath all the conflicts there was the
struggle for racial existence or suprem-
acy. When Spain happened to be in
VOWED the scene OF conflict was usu-
ally shifted to the Caribbean sea, because
with gold and silver from the mines of
Central and South America, were such
rich prizes for their captors.
Capture Of Porto Bello.
In 1879 some English trading vessels
were seized by Spanish coast guards for
carrying cargo which they alleged was
'contraband. This the English denied, In
sfstins they had right to carry It by the
terms of a treaty which gave them GER
tain trade privileges, such as the right to
cut and transport logwood, &c. Anyway,
they were determined not to submit to
any trade restrictions. and. by way of re-
prisais. Admiral Vernon, the commander
in-chief in the West Indies, attacked and
captured Porto BeI1o, on the Isthmus of
parlen. The Spaniards determined to
avenge the blow, and the French, eager
to join in the fray, fitted out ships to
help them. The British government there
fore declared war. Troops were sent
from England to the West Indies, and it
was ordered that regiment. consisting
OF -FOUR battalions, was to be raised in
the North American colonies to join the
expedition in Jamaica. The raising of
TINS regiment caused quite an outbreak
OF military ardor. In almost every town
and village recruiting parties were to be
seen parading to the sound Of the music
OF drum and fife. Lawrence Washington,
VINO had just arrived at manhood, caught
the military infection. He obtained a
captains commission in the newly raised
regiment and embarked with it for the
West Indies in 174O., His young brother,
George, who was then about ten years
oio, was an interested observer of all
these preparations, and, boylike, was full
OF military enthusiasm himself
Off for Cartagena.
Collecting his forces in Jamaica, Ad-
miral Vernon set sail for Cartagena The
squadron under his command consisted
OF three-decker battle ships, % ships
or the line, IL frigates, several fireships
and 40 transports. The forces consisted
OF lo,ooo soldiers and sailors, 1000 ne
groes from Jamaica, armed only with
ment.
according to Colombian history Admiral
Vernon seems to have been another Cen
Butief. thinking the war would be over in
apout SIX weeks, in time for him to eat his
CHRISTMAS dinner IN peace. So sure was he
or an easy victory that he caused medals
70 be struck in advance celebrating his
triumph, the governor of Cartagena being
represented upon them in a kneeling posi-
ton, offering his sword and the key of the
city to the doughty admiral.
AT Hrst the British forces in their attacks
upon the city were fairly successful. as they
largely outnumbered their opponents But
reverses soon came. When troops To the
number of 1000 attempted to storm the
cltadei or San Lazaro they met with a
severe defeat and 800 of them were killed
and 200 wounded The Notifications of
Cartagena are exceedingly strong. II is
estimated that $55.000000 was spent in
constructing the walls Of the city and the
different forts. and so well constructed are
they that the concrete today after the
lapse of hundreds OF years. is as hard and
strong as it was originally. Upon such
Notifications the primitive firearms of those
times could make little impression Besides,
the Spaniards We're brave soldiers, and
when rendered desperate would fight to the
last ditch.
Among the assailants the North Ameri-
can regiment distinguished itself by its
bravery. for several hours sustaining un-
ihnchlngiy most destructive fire At
length 1t was compelled to retire. having
suffered loss Of about 900 In killed and
wounded. Misfortune continued to over
take the British. Disease broke out among
the troops and wrought dreadful havoc
Admiral Vernon therefore determined to
quit. After an ineffective cannonadtng Of
the city the ships being too far off to do
any real damage. he returned with the re-
mainder Of his troops to jamaica. Alto
gether. about 5000 Of his men had perished
from wounds and disease Among those
who persisted by disease must have been
the remnant of the North American reef-
ment, as 1t was never more heard Of 1t
is known in history as "the lost brigade"
Marries Miss Fairfax.
Lawrence Washington returned home in
the autumn of 1742, and If he had not IA Hen
in love with Miss Fairfax would probably
have devoted himself permanently to for
eign military service. On the death of his
father. In the following year. the family
estate on the banks of the Potomac was
left to him. He then gave up all thought
of further military ~service, married and
went with his bride to live on the estate
10 which he gave the name of Mount Ver
non. in honor of the admiral under whom
he had served in Colombia
incidentally. this event left its mark unon
american history in more ways than one.
Fhe military career of Lawrence Washing
ton, snort though 1t was. made deep i'm
preston upon the mind of his Young
brother George. Washington Irving saws.
we have here the secret of that martial
spirit SO often cited of George in his boyish
days. He had seen his brother fitted ont
for the wars. He had heard, by letter and
otherwise. of the warlike scenes In which
he was mingling. No wonder, therefore.
that Georges mind was filled with soldierIv
ambition. All his amusements at Hobby
school took military turn He made SOL
d1ers of his schoolmates; they had their
mimic parades. reviews and sham fights
and-coming events casting their shadows
DeIore-George was commander-in-chtaf
NO doubt his military instincts and genius
would nave been manifested under the stress
OF circumstances even If his brother had
never gone to the wars. yet this early mill
tary enthusiasm may have had much to
do with shaping the events of his later "a :.
reer" -N'e' Ca
ono VoweI' Town.
H. -