Evening star., 1939-10-01

and the men who played Important
parts in that great struggle. Wash
tngton. of course, is to us the great
est and dearest character of all and
even the best writer living or yet to
come-should he so desire-cannot
lessen his greatness and importance
in the hearts of his countrymen."
Indeed, 1t was he who fired the
first shot from the American battery
on October 9 at o'clock in the aft
ernoon. It killed the British COM
missary general, named Perkins,
and wounded a Scotch lieutenant
and the quartermaster and adjutant
of the 18th, who were dining in a
neighboring building.
But at the surrender at Yorktown
we find other notable patriots, in
cluding Lafayette. De Grasse, Ro-
chambeau, Won steuben, Nelson,
Mercer, Hamilton and others who
were conspicuously active.
Favored Capital Site.
In Hamilton, however, aside from
the part he played in the American
Revolution, we have a special inter-
est for being largely responsible for
the passage of the act placing the
Capital where it is today. This site,
no doubt, was ardently desired by
washington, who undoubtedly ca
gerly welcomed the continued sup
port of his loyal subordinate in arms.
Indeed, the brilliant record of this
intrepid soldier can never be other
than interesting and fascinating
and the same can be said of the
Marquis de Lafayette and other
Revolutionary patriots.
AS to Hamilton, everything he
undertook to do he did enthusi-
astically, just as he did at Yorktown
when he led the assault on one OF
the two British redoubts on the
night of October IA, which was per-
formed, we are told, with bril-
lancy of courage and success that
could not be surpassed. Referring
to this particular heroic incident
George Washington Parke Custis
has this to say in his "Recollec-
tons:
"At the siege of Yorktown it was
determined to storm the two ad-
vanced redoubts of the enemy, and
the selection of officers and men
for this daring achievement was
intrusted to Maj Gen. the Marquis
de Lafayette. The marquis lost nc
time in choosing as the gallant
officer who was to lead the assault
1t. Col. Gimet, gallant Frenchman
who had been attached to the
marquis military family.
Hamilton, belonging to the di.
vision of light infantry commanded
by Lafayette, was about to prefer
his claim when his warmest friends
and admirers dissuaded him, owing
as they said, to the vast influence
in favor of the Frenchman, from
the presence of a splendid French
feet and army, and the universe
desire OF doing every possible honol
to our generous and gallant allies
Hamilton observed: I am aware
that I have mighty influences tt
contend with, but feel assured thai
Washington is inflexibly just. I vii
not urge my claim on the plea o.
my long and faithful services, coeva
with nearly the whole war; I VII
only plead my rank
"He accordingly repaired to head
quarters. The general received hi
former and favorite aide-de-c -camr
with great cordiality and kindness
listened patiently to his representa-
tions and finally granted his claims
and 1t. Col Hamilton, In presence
of three armies, led the assault o
the redoubt on the night OF Tn
memorable 14th of october.
"As the Americans mounted Tn
works. the cry of the soldiers was
Remember New London aludln
to the cruel massacre Of the Amer
lean troops at Fort GrlsWold IN
wear before. When the redoubt wa
carried, the vanquished Britons fel
on their knees, momentarily expect
Ing the exterminating bayonet; NO
a man was injured, when no longe
resisting. For Hamilton. who com
manded, and 1t. Col. Laurens, wh
participated as volunteer on thl
brilliant occasion, courage and merc
have entwined a wreath of laurt
that time or circumstance can neve
fade"
The French storming party on tn
British bastion redoubt captured tn
redoubt assigned them in 80 minute
This detachment was commando
by Col. William Deuxponts.
Leaders Right Arm.
As to Hamilton, however, he wa
painstaking in everything he under
took. He was great soldier, states
man, jurist and philosopher. In We
he was Washington's right arm.
peace he was his main support an
chief adviser, and the most versati
man Of his time. The part playe