Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1925-06-18

/ feel great distress from consciousness that my
ever the congress desire 1T, will enter upon
the momentous duty and exert every power
the glorious cause. | beg they Will accept my
mony of their appreciation. But, lest some un-
lucky event should happen unfavorable to my
reputation. I beg it may be remembered, by every
gentleman in this room. that l this day declare.
with the utmost sincerity, do not think myseih
equal to the command am honored with AS TO
pay sir, beg leave to assure the congress that.
as no pecuniary consideration could nave tempted
me to accept the arduous employment at the ex-
pense my domestic and happiness, 90
not wish to make any profit from it. l will keep
exact account of my expenses. Those, doubt
not, they will discharge and that is all desire.
There are few letters in existence from Wash
ington to his wife. He wrote her many, but 1t
seems to be established that Mrs. Washington. q
short time before her death, destroyed all his let
tiers to her that she could lay hands on. June Is
he wrote her a letter. part of which has been
preserved. After speaking of his appointment and
of the necessity of his going to Boston, he said:
You may believe me, my dear Patsy, when l
assure you, in the most solemn manner, that, so
far from seeking this appointment, have used
every endeavor in my power to avoid it, not only
from my unwillingness to part with you and the
trust too great for my capacity, and that
should enjoy real happiness in one month
prospect of finding abroad, If my stay were to
be seven times seven years But as it has been a
service, I shall hope that my undertaking Is de-
signed to answer some good purpose
was utterly out of my power to refuse t0is ap-
pointment without exposing my character to such
censures as would have reflected dishonor upon
myself and given pain to my friends This, am
to you, and must have lessened me considerably In
my own esteem. / shall rely therefore, conf
IDENTIFY on that Providence, which has heretofore
been bountiful to me- not doubling that shall
return safe to you in the fall
General washington left Philadelphia for Bos-
ton June % by horse At Trenton he met courier
riding in haste for Philadelphia with the of
banker HILL "How did the militia behave?" he
asked Answered. he exclaimed, "Then the liber-
ties of the country SAFE" He journeyed by way
of New York, everywhere acclaimed by an admir-
ing people, The morning Of July the army was
drawn up Cambridge common and General
Washington, drawing his sword, took command
under the authority of the Continental congress.
July he issued his first general order as follows:
The Continental congress having taken all
Tho troops of the several colonies, which
raised or which may be hereafter raised for the
support and defense of the liberties of America.
into their pay and service, they are now the
troops OF the United Provinces of North America:
and it is hoped that all distinction of colonies will
he laid aside, SO that one and the spirit may
animate the whole, the only contest be, who
shall render, this great and trying occasion.
tha most essential service to the great and COM
mon cause in which all engaged. 1t is re-
o,,ired and expected that exact discipline be OBJ
n.od and due supordnation prevail through the
whole army, failure in these most essential
noints must necessarily produce extreme hazard.
disorder. and confusion, and end in shameful dis
annointment and disgrace. The general most
earnestly requires and expects a due observance
Of these articles of war; established for the gov
eminent of the army, which forbid profane curs-
ing swearing and Drunkenness and in like man
nar he requires and expects of all officers and SOL
diers not engaged actual duty punctual at
tendance on divine service. to implore the bless
ines of Heaven upon the means used for safety
and defense.
SO began the War of Independence War had
not yet been declared by congress- The flag had
not yet been adopted. But the Americans were in
arms and Gen. George Washington was at their
head