The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-09-11

ing and chastising loyallsts was one
OF the delights of the mob of those
stirring days. Once mob tried to
catch the principal OF the college.
Hamilton. mounting the college steps.
harangued the crowd long enough to
permit the principal to escape to a
British nan-of-war. and he tried, too,
to save Rtvington's print shop. but
this time he failed
He went at nothing blindly. He saw
that war was certain. SO he began TO
study military text books. He stud
led with the same zeal he had given to
philosophy and the classics. His mind
was marvelously acute. He would
grasp in a minute what other men
could not see IN ten. IT was not long
before he made the Hearts of Oak
one of the smartest of companies. He
was Its captain. The first time he
was under fire was In the Battle OF
Long island. In the fight from
Brooklyn he brought UP the rear
and showed such soldieriy qualities
that ne won the praise of Gen. Greene
At the battle OF Harlem Heights ha
and again at White Plains. In Octo-
Der he volunteered to retake Fort
Washington. but the general thought
the plan too hazardous. IN the re.
treat of the Continental army through
New Jersey he earned as high praise
for his soldierly qualities in the pro-
lection of the rear guard with his
battery as he had earlier for his pam
phlets and speeches. All this time
Washington was studying the youth.
On March /. 1877. Washington APP
pointed Hamilton his aide-de-camp,
with the rank of Northumberland.
4 tr r..
whelmed with correspondence. To
find a boy who was not only ready and
powerful writer. but who possessed
the instincts of craftsmanship and the
spirit of soldier. was rich discovery
Hamilton was tireless. Washington
wrote well. but slowly and laborlous-
ly. Washington exercised profound
influence in shaping and directing
Hamilton's mind in those days. but
Hamilton also influenced the general.
The messages to Congress. the cor
with British generals
and the other papers that came from
Washington, that won the admiration
of the world by their dignity and
casionally Washington revived his
work. but not often.
How absolutely Washington trust
ed Hamilton may be seen by the fact
that he sent him on the mission to
Gates after the surrender of BurgoNne.
Gates arrogant and pompous. was In
no humor to send the regiments Wash /,
ington called for to strengthen his
force so he could drive the British
out Of philadelphia. Already Gates
was planning to supersede the Com
Chief. He tried to deceive
Hamilton, but was startled when the
little aide-de camp sternly exposed the
deception to him and then In letter
that was a 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 OBJ
stinate The sld general would face
"a regiment without finching, but |
such was the power Of aan, lton's
that two regiments call
ed for marched at Hamilton's order
md left Putnam too Hurried to inter-.
,ere.
Good Advice to Washington.
In the winter of 1879, Hamilton saw
ID Washington from serious blundo~
A plan had been worked out to kid.
nap Sir Henry Clinton. who was in
at New York Sir Henry
lived In house near the Battery and
lot far from the river. There was
title doubt Of the scheme succeed.
ng. Hamilton. who had been away,
iii not learn of thu nro{ao+ ,,,,;l !,