The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-09-18

Greene. At the battle Of Harlem Heights he attracted the attention of Washington and again at White Plains. In October he volunteered to retake Fort Washing ton but the general thought the plan too hazardous. In the retreat of the Continen- tai army through New Jersey he earned as high praise for his soldierly qualities
 in the protection of the rear guard with his battery as he had earlier for his pamphlets and speeches. All this time Washington was studying the youth.
 On March l, TIT, Washington appointed Hamilton his aid de camp, with the rank of lieutenant colonel. The commander-in- chief was overwhelmed with correspond ence. To find boy who was not only ready and powerful writer but who pos sessed the instincts of statesmanship and the spirit of a soldier was rich discov- cry. Hamilton was tireless. Washington wrote well, but slowly and laboriously Washington exercised a profound influ- ence in shaping and directing Hamilton s mind In those days but Hamilton also influenced the general. The messages to Congress, the correspondence with Brit ish generals and the other papers that came from Washington that won the ad- miration Of the world by their dignity and lucidity came from Hamilton. Occasion ally Washington revised his secretary s work, but not often.
 How absolutely Washington trusted Hamilton may be seen by the fact that he sent him on the mission to Gates af- ter the surrender of Burgoyne. Gates, arrogant and pompous, was in no humor to send the regiments Washington called for to strengthen his force so he could drive the British out of Philadelphia. AL ready Gates was planning to supersede the oommander-in-chlef. He tried to de- ceive Hamilton, but was startled when the little aid de camp sternly exposed the deception to him and then in a letter that as masterpiece of courtesy in the imperative mood forced him to send more troops to Washington than had been asked for at first.
 With Putnam, too, he showed equal ability. Putnam was honest but obstinate. | The old general would face a regiment l without fiinching, but such was the pow
 CT of Hamiltons personality that the
 two regiments called for marched at
 Hamiltons order, and left Putnam toe | Hurried to interfere.
 Good Advice to Washington | In the winter of 1779 Hamilton saved | Washington from a serious blunder A
 plan had been worked out to kidnap Sir
 Henry Clinton, who was in command al New York Sir Henry lived in a house
 near the Battery and not far from the l river There was little doubt of the scheme succeeding. Hamilton, who had been away, did not learn of the project until a day or two before the time sci 1 for the kidnapping.
 Have you thought of the conse. | queces?" he asked Washington.
 Tn what respect?" Washington in- quired.
 why" replied Hamilton, "we would | lose rather than gain by removing Sii | Henry from command. We understand his character thoroughly. By taking him of we make way for another and perhaps able man whose characters and disposi- | ton we would have to learn"
 | w dSlllktOn COilSluCico litc cuDJCCt q | few minutes and then abandoned the | plan.
 | In December, 17s0, Hamilton married | Elizabeth, the daughter of Gen. Phiir
 Schuyler. Thereafter his position in SO | ciety was assured, for the Schuylers
 were of the greatest of the old families
 of New York state. The marriage came | a little hefore Hamilton resigned as aif | de camp to Washington. His duties as secretary had become irksome. He hat
 an idea he would make great general
 He was disgusted with Congress. Ina
 body was sadly inefficient. Hamilton
 had more brains than half of it's members
 combined. He chafed because the vari
 ous states were unwilling to aid Con gross heartily and because Congress die
 not have the courage to exercise more
 authority. He believed in power and tht
 use of 1t. Possibly he was favorable tC
 Washington intimidating Congress or II
 the commander-n-chef arrogating tc
 himself something In the nature of 2
 military dictatrrship The army was 1T a sad state. Various members of Con | gross were known to be 'cornering foodstuffs while the soldiers went hun. gry. Mutiny was threatened in many
 regiments. The men had not been paic In many months. Congress talked, bu did nothing.
 Hamilton, to whom order and system
 were everything, had tired of pointing
 out the looseness. watse and graft witt