The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-18

, from Alexandria, Va, to Boston, to find
| out from Governor Shirley who was to
command the Virginia forces. Shirley
was arbiter OF military matters in the
British colonies in America, and he de-
clared in favor of Washington.
On February IL, 1860, Washington was
at Mount Vernon, busy with farming in
terests and with some building changes.
The Journal for this day says: Mon
day Feb'y 18th. Went out early myself
and continued with my people till !
O'Clock, in which time we got the house
about $50 yards. Was informed then
that Mr.. Diggs was at my house upon
which returned, finding him and DR..
Laurie there.
The ground being soft and deep. we
found it no easy matter with 20 hands.
horses and oxen, to get this house
along. .. =
His successive birthdays at this period
seem to have been but repetitions of this
day. with only variations in employment;
for we find him on
Feb. II, 1868, at Mount Vernon busy
with farming interest, visiting his plan
tations and fox hunting. On this birth
day the Journal merely says I'll. Went
into the Neck! and returned to dinner
The Neck meant Cllfton's Neck. where
Washington had a farm that was then
ledSeu 10 JOHIt SHeTlulDe. 4Onf req. ~
Washington rid to Muddy hole, Doeg
Run, and MILL" and on the 18th he went
fox hunting.
On February II, 1869, Washington
wrote in his diary: went ducking till
dinner Mr.. Piper dlned here and Betsey
cambridge came home in the evening"
We must now skip to the Revolutions
airy War period. when instead OF SPEND
ing his birthdays in such peaceful pur-
suits as have Just been mentioned as
occupying him at Mount Vernon. Wash
ington was busy with martial affairs in
the colonial camps.
| AT the time of the birthday Of 1875
!, Washington was busy enlisting and arm
Ing Virginia troops, but had not yet
| been appointed commander-in-chief OF
| the American army
The birthday anniversary of 1777 found
| Washington In camp at Morristown, New
Jersey, where amid want and suffering
| he was trying to hold together the skele-
| ton of his little army. On this day Wash;
|ington wrote q long letter to Brig. Gen.
Knox at Boston respecting the raising
Of moro troops and in regard to SUE
gested increase Of enlistment bounty
which Washington did not favor.
But the next birthday anniversary Feb.
III, 177s, was to be still worse, for itHoc-
Cured while the commander-in-chi
was at his Valley Forge encampment
which was the scene Of so much suffer-
| ing.
The birthday of 1879 was very busy
one. for on this point we have the direct
testimony of Washington himself. In Q
letter to General Schuyler, dated Head
quarters. Middlebrook, II February 1873,
| Washington tells of the busy time that
he had In Philadelphia, from which he
had returned the week before, and OF the
press OF work in trying to catch up since
his return This letter was a very long
one, and Went into details in regard to
the plans for the proposed expedition
against the Indians Of the Six Nations
In this year. on Feb. II, some OF
Washington's friends celebrated his birth
day at Winchester, Virginia.
In 1850, at birthday time, Washington
had his headquarters ut Morristown. On
| February 18th Washington had the salts
faction Of seeing the log hnts ready for
his soldiers, who had been compelled to
|! live in tents during the winter up to
! that time.
In 1871 the scene shifts to New Wind
/ sorl N. Y..s and on the day before his