Norwich bulletin., 1921-05-13
AMERICAN
ODD INCIDENTS IN Al
 HISTORY
wAsHINGFoN's ADIEU TO THE
 ARMY


 That momentous object fro which the war of independence was for seven lone wears waged, under the supreme leaaeI- shin of Gen. George Washington, having | heen achieved by the unconditional ac' lxnovIedrment of that independence on 1 tbe mart of Great Britain, cessation 1 of hostilities was announced. and Masn- ington's military course, having thus been honorably and successful term mated he sheated his sword and sur rendered his high commission to con gress. who had invested him with the au- l thority.
 l For the final adieu assembled his army at Newburg He rode out on the neld for the farewell. To the tune Of KOS 1 lin Castle"-the soldiers dirge-his brave comrades passed slowly by their great leader and filed away to their re- l spective homes It was thrilling scene. | There were gray-haired soldiers who had grown old by hardships and ex- posures, and too old to begin life anew. Tears coursed freely the furrowed cheeks l of these veterans. Among the thousands who passed in review before him were those. also, who had done valorouS ser vice when the destiny of the country hung tremblingly in the balance. As Washington looked up them for the last
 time he said:
 q am growing old in my country's service, and losing my sight but l neveS
 doubted it's justice and gratitude"
 On the 4th of December 17SS, by
 Washington's request, his officers in full
 uniform, assembled at Faunce's tavern New York, to take final leave of theiI commanders -in-chief On entering the room, and finding himself surrounded by his nld compauions-in-a who Grad } shared with him so many hardships, his r agitated feelings overcome his usual , self-command. Every man arose witf 1 eyes turned toward him. Filling glass
 of wine, he rested his benignant, but sad
 dened :countenance upon them and said with a heart full of love and grati' tude, I now take leave of you. l mos l devoutly wish that your latter days may : be as prosperous as your former ones I have been honorable and glorious 1 Having drank, he added: "In caAno 3 come to each of you to take my leave. bu f shall be obliged to you if each of you r will come and take me by the hand" : A profound silence followed as eaci E, officer gazed on the countenance of thei = l leader, while the eyes of all were we : 1 with tears. He then expressed again hi Il desire that each should come and talk = him by the hand The first, being near I est to him was Gen. Knox, who graspe' l. his hand in silence, and both embraced e each other without uttering word. On 2 1 after another followed, receiving and re 0 turning the affectionate adieu of thei
 commander after which he left the room
 in silence followed by his officers in pro
 cession, to embark in the barge that wa
 to convey him to PauIs Hook, now Jer o sey City.
 As he was passing through, the 1igh
 infantry drawn up on either side to re -s ceive him, an old soldier, who was by hi tt side on the terrFtie night of his marc
 to Trenton stepped out from the rank
 and reaching out his hand exclaimed IS Farewell, my dear general, farewell. o Washington seized his hand mos
 heartily, when the soldiers forgot all dis
 cipline, rushed towards their chief an bathed him with their tears The seen 'u was like that of great patriarch takin III leave of his children and going on lon
 journey, from whence he might retur
 no more.
 C. Having entered the barge, he turne D. to his weeping company upon the Wh2r
 and waving his hat bade them siler
 adieu They stood with heads uncovere e. until the barge was hidden from the in view, when, in silent and solemn pro ,+ cession, they retHrned to the place WheI
 they had assembled.
 . Congress was then in session at Al
 napolis, Maryland, to which place Wasl o- ington now proceeded, greeted along th 'w entire route with enthusiasm, for tI
 purpose of formally resigning his con
 mission.
 ti- Washington arrived at Annapolis ( si- December 1s. 17a3, and the next day l ,c- informed Congress of the purpose f
 which he had come, and 1t was arrange
 that the final leave-taking should tai
 place on Tuesday, December g. On Il