Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1904-02-12
BRIEF SKETCH 2 WASHINGTON

ence, ana nlSb ffetiuent OF the Jnlleu
States, was born in 1882, in the Oorm-
ty of Fairfax, in Virginia. He was
descended from an English family
which emigrated fiOm Cheshire, about
1880; and his father, in the place Of
his nativity, was possessed of great
landed property. He received his edu-
cation from a private tutor; and was
particularly instructed in mathematics
and engineering. His abilities were
first employed by Dinwiddle, in 1863,
in making remonstrances to the
French commander ON the Ohio, for
the infraction of the treaty between
the two nations; and he afterwards
negotiated with the Indians ON the
back settlements, for which he receiv-
ed the thanks Of the British govern
ment.. In the expedition of Braddock
he served as aid-de-cRmp; and, ON the
fall of that brave but rash command
er, he displayed great talent in con-
ducting the retreat, and saving the
army from dangerous position.
At the commencemento of the revolu-
tionary war, he was selected to take
the chief command Of the provincial
troops. On receiving from the presi-
dent of congress, official notice, he
thus addressed him: "Mr. President:
Although l am truly sensible to the
high honor done me in this appoint
ment, yet feel great distress from
the consciousness that my abilities
and military experience may not be
equal to the extensive and important
trust 1 beg that they viii accept my
most cordial thanks fOr the distin-
guished testimony of their approba-
ton; but, unless some unlucky event
should happen, unfavorable to my
reputation, l beg that it may be re-
membered by every gentlemen in this
room, that 1 this day, declare, with
the utmost sincerity, l do not think
myself equal to the command 1 am
honored with. AS to pay, sir, / beg
leave to assure the Congress, that as
no pecuniary consideration could
tempt me to accept this arduous
employment at the expense Of my do
mestic wishes and happiness. / do
not wish to make any profit from it.
1 viii keep an exact account of my ex-
pensesj these, l doubt not, they will
discharge; that is all desire"
The record of his services is the
history of the whole war. He Joined
the army at Cambridge, July, 1875.
On the evacuation of Boston, Novem-
Der, 1776, he proceeded to New York.
The battle of Long Island was fought
August 9th and the battle of White
Plains on October 2Sth. On the 25th
of December, he crossed the Delaware
and soon gained the victories at Tren-
ton and Princeton. The battle of
Brandywine was fought on September
II, 1777; Germantown, October 4th;
and Monmouth, February 2s, 177s.
In 1873 and 1850, he continued in the
vicinity of New York, and closed the
important military operations of the
war, by catching CORVALLIS at York
town in 1871.
On the second Of November, 1888,
General Washington issued his fare
well orders TO the armies of the
United States.
On Tuesday noon, the fourth of De
cember, the principal officers of the
army assembled at Francis's tavern tC
take final leave of their beloved
commander-in-chief. When Washing
ton entered the room, his emotions
were too strong to be repressed or con
eealed. Filling a glass, he turned Il
the surrounding officers and said
"With a heart full Of love and graft
tude, now take leave Of you. mos
devoutly wish that your latter day
may be as prosperous and happy a
your former ones have been glOriOu
| and honorable Having drank h
! added, ~ cannot come to each-of yol
to take my leave, but shall be oblige,
to you, if each Of you will come AM
take me by the hand" General Knox
f being nearest, turned to him. Wash
: ington, in tears, grasped his hand
embraced and kissed him. In tn
4 same manner he took leave of each {
e the succeeding officers, Lincoln
. Greene and Lafayette and the othe
y valiant men with whom he had bee
d connected in the hours Of peril an
{ darkness, TO be rewarded with endle'
s gratitude and glory. Every eye wa
4 moistened with tears.
On the disbanuing of the arm,
Washington proceeded 10 Annapoli
then to the seat Of Congress 10 resig
I lhis command. On his way thither, b
o delivered to the comptroller Of a.
: counts, az Philadelphia, his account
a receipts and expenditures Of publ
Q money. The whole amount was onl
s IA, ,479 pounds 1ss. 3D. sterling