The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1915-02-19

mon soldier. If the disappointed lover
! had remained a bachelor he would not
have shown himself the rounded man
among men which he became; his sec
ond falling in love, and this time with
the fair widow, Mrs. Martha DAN
dridge) Gusts, in just one afternoon
and evening, brings him close to most
OF us; and it is no secret that Mrs.
| Washington was his constant confid-
ant and counselor, for it is recorded
that more than once he said, II will
decide after | have taken the matter
to my chamber; and all accounts go
to show that Martha (Dandridge)
GUSTS Washington was worthy of the
confidence reposed in her; and it
gives touch OF color that shows
Washington as a true American
Christian gentleman.
Patrick Henry could make eloquent
speeches; Thomas Jefferson conceive
and prepare noble state papers;
George Washington could patiently
form, lead and inspire armies; he
could make much out of little; could
ably retreat when he could not fight;
could keep his heart in defeat; was
watchful and could instantly size an
enemies unguardcd weakness, as wit
ness the sudden advance, surprise and
victory at Trenton, Christmas eve
l/7o. When he took command of the
Continental army at Cambridge, July
Tvs, he soon formed a poor opinion
OF the New England farmer soldiers.
and with very good reason from what
he then saw; but when he had tested
them in the long siege of Boston and
at the battle Of Long Island, and found
the sailor regiment of Marblehead so
efhcient at the crossing of the Della
ware river, full of floating ice that
Christmas eve, he formed a new esti
mate OF the Yankee soldier, which he
kept through the war, for he had more
than twice as many soldiers from
M massachusetts as from any other
1875. >
The New Englanders had gathered at
Cambria ge after the Lexington-Con
cord hight; while there were among
them several able officers, who had
previously made good regulations in
the colonial wars, and who afterwards
made good records in the Continental
army, the forces then assembled were
not an army; hardly more than
patriotic rabble. Old Artemus Ward
he ranking officer present, a Mas
'achusetts man, had a good reputa-
ION; but he was too old to organize
ne independent farmers, many nf Il
Vhom, like Israel Putnam, had left
helr plowS in the field, and spring
work all suspended, and thought thev
must go home from time to time. and
when they pleased, to look after the
'oys left in charge of the farm.
Soon after the Lexington-Concord
vent the Continental Congress as
embed at Philadelphia; there were
ONE able men in it, including George
Washington of Virginia and John
Adalns OF Massachusetts; the latter ;
Dung. lawyer, who afterwards made
noble record as statesman, and :
nVoy to Europe, and as second Presi-
ent OF the United States. Among !
lany wise things he did, two stand 5
ut above the others; the first was
men he courted and married ABIGAIL 5
NTH, the attractive daughter Of
minister; for she was I
much to her husband as Martha d
washington was to her husband. The !
Their great thing he did was his Sc !!
,ctIon and advocacy of Washington y
Commanderin-chief of the Ameri- u
IN army He knew that the forces {,
athering to resist the British must u
e organized, and that much depend Il
on the man chosen; he asked TO .
ave a day set to consider the sub :
ct, which was done; first it was voted u
adopt the soldiers assembled At !
sc, Mass, as their army; then
must have leader, and it was sup i,