Norwich bulletin., 1921-04-26
ODE INCIDENTS IN AMERICAN
 HISTORY
WHEN WASHINGTON TOOK COM

WHEN WASHINGTON TOOK COM
 MAND.
 Everyone is familiar with the incident of Washington taking command of the Revolutionary army under the huge elm at Cambridge, Mass. but few are ac- quainted with the details connseted with this important event in ouF history. Washington had been elected commander in-chief by a unanimous vote of congress, and Richard Henry Lee, Edward Rutledse and John Adams were appointed com mittee to draft commission and instruc- tions for the general, which were given to him four days afterwards. The, original of this commission, with other relics of the illustrious chief. are carefully pre- served in Washington.
 1 Washington left Philadelphia for the camp at Cambridge on the Fist Of June, 1775, and he arrived on the 2d of July. He was everywhere greeted with enthusi- | asm by crowds of people. He arrived in New York on the 18th escorted by a company of light horsA from Philadelphia. Governor Tryon arrived from England On the same day, and the same escort re- oeived both the distinguished men. Thert 1 Washington first heard of the battle of Bunker Hill, which had occurred more than week before.
 | Towards evening on the 2eth he left New York under the escort of several military companies, reaching Cambridge on the afternoon of July 2. about o'clock. He established himself in the Craisie house. afterward the home oi
 Henry W. Longfellow, the poet.
 On the morning of the 3d of July. al
 about g o'clock, the troops at Cambridge
 were drawn up in order upon the Common
 to receive the commander- -in-chief. Ac companied by the general officers, wash ington walked from his quarters to th . great elm tree, a remnant of which stli 1 remains to mark the spot.
 Under the shadow Of the great cover ing of this elm, Washington stepped fey
 paces front, made some remarks, dreN
 his sword and formally took command Q ? the Continental army. This was an au spicious ace for America, and the lov |, and reverence which all felt for him O . that occasion never waned during tt : eight long years of the conflict. whe '' he resigned that commission into th < hands of congress at Annapolis. not ' blow was visible upon the fair escutcheo Il of his character.
 C The nomination to make washingtc comfnander-in-chlef was presented 1 !, Thomas Johrecn of Maryland and V: !. seconded by John Adams. When wasi II ington accepted the honor the followif
 day he declined to receive any cofnpens W tien for his services beyond the reir r. bursernent for his expenses.
 l. At the same time proision was ma t, for four major generals, eight brigadi 'd generals, an adjutant general. a cominI 'e sary general, quartermaster general, i'd paynAster general and chief enginet e, The major generals chosen were Artem }: Ward, Charles Lee. Philip chuyler al
 Israel Putnam. Washington was accoi
 panied to Boston by Generals Gates al
 Lee.
 A committee from Cambridge met {
 senetal at Springfield. Mass. and escort T him to Headquarters. At the time Washington's arrival at Cambridge {
 Continental congress that had reeen
 adopted the army had no authority
 cept such as rested on the acquiescenee ne the people.
 II. Washington promptly set to work na organize the army, rectlfy the lines a At collect powder, provisions and suppl