USA > New York > Orange County > Newburgh > Newburgh; her institutions, industries and leading citizens, historical, descriptive and biographical > Part 8
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The large room, which is entered from the piazza on the east, known as "the room with the seven doors and one window," was used as a dining-room by Washington's fam- ily, which consisted of himself, his wife, and his aid-de-camp Colonel Tilghman, he who carried the news of the surrender of Corn- wallis to Congress. The housekeeper was a Mrs. Thompson. The small northeast room was Washington's bedroom, and the larger one adjoining was used by him as a private office. The family-room was the southeast room, and the kitchen the southwest room ; the northwest room was the parlor. Be- tween the kitchen and the parlor were the hall and stair-case and the storeroom, so- called from having been used by Colonel Hasbrouck, and subsequently by his widow as a store. The parlor was reserved for Mrs. Washington and her guests.
No alterations in form have been made, not even to the old piazza, nor to the great wide-open chimney and the old fireplace ; and the sun still streams through the one window into the room with the seven doors. The orchard that shaded the house on the southwest, and the post and rail fence, are gone, and the haystacks that stood to the
southeast ; graveled walks wind among the trees, and a great monument stands on the green slope in front. But we see the same natural scenes that Washington saw ; the same noble river runs at the foot of the hill, and about us are the same green fields and blue mountains. Inspired by the patriotic memories that thrill every vis- itor, cannot imagination picture the father of his country and his generals gathered on this old piazza as of old, and in the distance the camps of the soldiers? Can we not also see the General on his shapely bay horse, with the servant Bill riding behind? They were familiar figures in the village. The General was a bold horseman, leaping the highest fences and going extremely quick, without stand- ing in his stirrups, bearing on the bridle or letting his horse run wild. His horse was as good as he was handsome, but above all perfectly well-trained, easy in hand and stopping short in a gallop without bearing on the bit. Washington himself broke all his own horses.
Distinguished statesnien and high officers in the army were fre- quent guests at headquarters. There was little room to spare in the dwelling, and if a guest remained during the night it was the practice to make up a camp-bed for him in the parlor. The Marquis de Chas- tellux passed the night in that room once. When he went in to break- fast the next morning at ten, his bed was folded up, and his chamber became the sitting-room for the whole afternoon. The smallness of the honse, and the difficulty to which he saw General and Mrs. Wash- ington put themselves, made him apprehensive lest General Rocham- beau, who had set out for headquarters the day after him, by traveling as fast might arrive on the day that he remained there. He therefore sent to Fishkill to meet him with a request that he would stay there that night. His precaution was not superfluous, and the messenger found Rochambeau already at the landing, where he slept, and did not come to the headquarters till the next morning.
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THE OLD FIREPLACE, AT WASHINGTON'S HEADQUARTERS.
But gnests at dinner were numerous and welcome." This meal was served about five. On the day de Chastellux was there Adjutant General Hand, Colonel Reed and Major Walker dined with him.
*His excellency, the Commander-in-chief, has long been in the practice of inviting a certain number of officers to dine at his table every day .- Thacher.
* The late Gulian C. Verplanck said: "The Constitution of the State of New York was printed in 1777, and was the first as well as the most important book ever printed in the State. The people could find but one press in their domain with which to print the work of their representatives. It was done at Fishkill by Samuel Loudon, who had been a Whig editor and printer in the city of New York, and who had retired with his press to Fishkill."
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NEWBURGH.
The repast was served in the English fashion, and consisted of butcher's meat and poultry, with vegetables of several sorts, followed by a second course of pastry. After this the cloth was removed, and a great quantity of nuts was served, which the General usually continued eating for two hours, toasting and conversing all the while. Supper was usually served at nine, and after that a few bottles of good claret and Madeira were placed on the table. The handsome and gentlemanly Gates, the hero of Saratoga; the brave and faithful Knox, the trained artillerist and Washington's warmest friend; the gentle-hearted Steuben, the skillful tactician; the scholar- ly Heath, the watchful guardian of the Highlands; Howe, St. Clair and MacDougall, were oft-times guests.
In the company of ladies the Baron Stenben appeared to peculiar advantage. Though never perfectly master of our language, he un- derstood and spoke it with sufficient correctness. Sometimes purposely
Now that the war was drawing to a close and independence had nearly been achieved, there was naturally a feeling of thankfulness and happiness pervading the encampment, such as had never before been felt. The officers visited and dined at each others' quarters, and receptions were given at country houses. Mrs. Washington, Mrs. Knox and Mrs. Gates frequently exchanged calls, and dined together. Mrs. Knox was a very handsome woman, and the com- mander-in-chief often spent the evening at General Knox's house, and used to like her for a partner in the dance. One night he stayed very late, not reaching home till the sınall hours of night. A person in the adjoining room heard Mrs. Washington read him a curtain lecture after he got in bed. The general listened in silence, till she had entirely finished, and then simply said, "Go to sleep, my dear."
On Christmas Day, 1782, in public orders General Washington highly approved of a proposal that had been made by the Rev. Israel
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"THE PUBLIC BUILDING."-Copy from the Tarbell Drawings.
he would miscall names, or blend or adopt words of similar sound but different meaning, to the merriment of the company. One day at dinner Mrs. Washington asked him how he amused himself over field officers meeting to determine the situation and plan. The next in Fishkill.
"Oh," said he, "I read and write, my lady, and play chess ; and yesterday, for the first time, went fishing. They told me it was a very fine business to catch fish, and I did not know but this new trade might be useful by-and-by to me; but I fear I can never succeed. I sat in the boat three hours. It was exceedingly warm, and I canght only two fish. They told me it was fine sport."
" What kind of fish did you catch, Baron?" asked Mrs. Washington.
" I am not sure, my lady, but I believe one of them was a whale."
"A whale, Baron, in the North River!" she exclaimed in surprise.
"Yes, I assure you, a very fine whale, my lady. Was it not?" he said, turning to one of his aids.
"An cel, Baron," was the reply.
"I beg your pardon, my lady, but that gentleman certainly told me it was a whale."
MacDougall was a Scotchman, affable and facetions, often indulg- ing in pleasantries, and adverting to his national peculiarities and family origin, at the close of which he would add, " Now, gentlemen, yon have the history of Sawney MacDougall, the milk-mon's son."
Evans, D. D., the Chaplain of the New Hampshire brigade, for erecting a public building, and gave his consent to the general and
morning the officers met at General Gates's headquarters and plans were adopted. Each regiment was required to furnish a certain part of the material, including lumber and shingles, and Colonel Tupper was appointed superintendant of construction. Carpenters, masons, blacksmiths and tools were supplied by the regiments; and nails, nail-rods and iron, boards, etc., were obtained from the quarter- master. The artificers and laborers pressed to the work (under the direction of Colonel Tupper and his assistant Lieut. Nelson), with " spirit and alacrity," which was doubtless in part owing to the liberal potions of rum dealt out to them. The site of the Public Building is not indicated on the map, but without doubt it was upon the eminence on the eastern side of the valley of the Silver Stream, on the farm now owned by William L. McGill, notwithstanding that the centennial celebration was held at another place near by. The site is command- ing and beautiful. It was a frame building upon a stone foundation. The interior was lathed and plastered. It was handsomely furnished with a spacious hall sufficient to accommodate a brigade of soldiers on Lord's day, having an orchestra at one end; the vault of the hall was arched; at each end of the hall were two rooms conveniently
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situated for the issuing of general orders, for the sitting of boards of officers, courts-martial, etc., and an office and store for the quarter- masters and the commissary departments. Ou the front was a cupola and flagstaff, on which flags were hoisted occasionally for signals. It was finished early in March, and services were held there every Sabbath. The chaplains preached in rotation, and different brigades assembled at different hours of the day, " to give that homage and adoration to the Supreme Being who has, through His infinite mercy, brought our public calamities and dangers (in all human probability), very near to a happy conclusion."# But the building was also used for levees, public meetings, etc., and was officially designated " the New Building," or as " the Public Building;" and by the soldiers it was sometimes popularly called "the Temple of Virtue," "the Temple," and " the Chapel." Major Edward C. Boynton, one of the Trustees of the Headquarters, in 1890 obtained from Luther L. Tar- bell, of Boston, original drawings made by his father, William Tar- bell, a soldier in the Seventh Massachusetts Regiment. They were
The joy caused by the outcome of the struggle for liberty was not unmixed with distress, nor the success of the army with danger to the existing Government. Here, Washington declared, occurred the greatest crisis in our long struggle, one that filled him with more alarm than all the disasters of the previous seven years, and here at last were exhibited the noblest self-sacrifice and the loftiest patriotism the world had ever seen.
The soldiers viewed the coming disbandment of the army with forebodings. They were goaded by a thousand stings of reflec- tion on the past and anticipation of the future. For a long time neither officers nor privates had received any pay, for the treasury was empty, with no hope of its immediate replenishment. They were about to be turned on the world, soured by penury, and by what they called the ingratitude of the public, involved in debts, without one farthing of money to carry them home, after spending the flower of their days and many of them their patrimony, in estab- lishing the freedom of their country.
WASHINGTON'S HEADQUARTERS-FROM THE SOUTHWEST.
drawn on sheets of paper pasted together, the whole being about seven feet long by eigliteen inches wide. They represent the " Tem- ple of Virtue," the buildings occupied by officers and soldiers of the Massachusetts line (216 in number), and the framework for an illumi- nation in the celebration of the successful termination of the war. The drawings were made with the juices of grass, butternuts, etc. The Headquarters' Trustees had fac-simile copies made.
The first assembly at the Public Building was on February 6, 1783, before its entire completion, to celebrate the anniversary of the al- liance with France. The troops were paraded, and reviewed by Washington, and a feu de joie fired by all the troops. Afterwards there was a reception at the building, attended by the officers and their ladies, and a cold collation was provided.
*Washington's orders.
Washington said that they had suffered everything that human nature is capable of enduring this side of death, and he could not avoid apprehending a train of evils of a very serious and disturbing nature, as he perceived that the patience and long-suffering of the army were well nigh exhausted.
On May 6, 1782, a dangerous mutiny was discovered among the soldiers of the Connecticut line. It had been conducted with great secrecy, and was on the point of execution before it was di- vulged. The defection was general in the line. The soldiers had determined to march at reveille the next morning to Fishkill, where they intended taking a number of field pieces, with ammuni- tion and provisions, and proceed to Hartford and demand of the As- sembly that justice which they considered their due. The most guilty soldiers were arrested, and the ringleader was sentenced to death.
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Contemplating the seemingly inherent weakness of the Govern- ment, many were inclined to consider it a normal condition of the republican form, and sighed for a stronger one. This feeling became so manifest in the army that Colonel Nicola, an officer greatly re- spected, addressed a letter to Washington in May, 1782, in which, professing to speak for the army, he declared that a republic was the least stable of all forms of government, and that the English Gov- ernment was the nearest to perfection that could be established. He said it was plain that the same abilities that had led them through difficulties apparently insurmountable by human powers to victory and glory, and which had merited and obtained the universal esteem and veneration of the army, would be most likely to con- duct and direct the people in the smoother paths of peace.
"Owing to the prejudice of the people," he said, "it might not at first be prudent to assume the title of royalty, but if all things were once adjusted, we be- lieve strong argu- ments might be produced for ad- mitting the title of king."
Washington's re- pły was a stern re- buke, administered in a letter, to Nicola. He said : " It is with a mix- ture of surprise and astonishment 1 have read the sen- timent you have submitted to my perusal. Be assur- ed, sir, no occur- rences in the course of the war have given me more painful sensations than your informa- tion of there being such ideas existing in the army as you have expressed, which I must view with abhorrence and reprehend with severity. * * I am much at * loss to conceive what part of my conduct has given encourage- ment to an address which to me seems big with the greatest mischief that can befall my country. If I am not deceived in the knowledge of myself, you could not find a person to whom your schemes are more disagrecable. * * * Let me conjure you, then, if you have any regard for your country, concern for yourself or posterity, or re- spect for me, to banish these thoughts from your mind."
" The Great Republic had its birth That hour beneath the Army's wing, Whose leader taught by native worth The man is grander than the king."
In the latter part of 1782 the discontent in the army appeared more formidable than ever. A committee from the army visited Congress
in December and returned with a series of most unsatisfactory resolutions passed by that body. Feeble in resources, they made no definite promises of present relief or future justice. This gave rise to the celebrated Newburgh Letters, or addresses, of which two were issued anonymously and written with great power and ability. The first letter, dated Saturday, March 8, 1783, advised the army to appeal from the justice to the fears of the government, make demonstrations of power and determination, arouse the fears of the people, and so obtain justice for themselves. It began with a recital of their wrongs, of the alleged insults heaped upon them by Congress, of its cold neglect, of their own forbearance and patience under them, and of their self-sacrifice and patriotism.
"If this," he says, "be your treatment, while the swords you wear are necessary to the protection of your country, what have you to expect from peace, when your voice shall sink and your strength dissipate by division-when those very swords, the instruments and companions of your glory, shall be taken from your sides and no re- maining mark of your military dis- tinction left you but your infirmities and scars? Can you consent to re- tire from the field and grow old in poverty, wretched- ness and contempt? Can you consent to wade through the vile mire of depend- ency and owe the remnant of that life to charity which has hitherto been spent in honor? If you can, go, and carry with you the jest of Tories, the scorn of Whigs, and what is worse, the pity of the world. Go, starve, and be forgotten." Growing bold in his indig- nation, he swoops down on Washington himself and exclaims: "Suspect the man who would advise to more moderation and longer forbearance. Let nothing but death separate you from your arms."
MARTHA WASHINGTON.
With this address was circulated privately a notification of a meet- ing of officers at the New Building, the following Tuesday. In gen- eral orders, March 11, Washington expressed disapprobation of such disorderly proceedings, and at the same time requested the general and field officers, and one officer from each company, and a proper representation of the staff of the army, to assemble at 12 o'clock on the following Saturday at the New Building, to hear the report of the committee of the army to Congress. This was a master-stroke. It assured him the control of the meeting, and the selection of the num- ber and rank of the officers to compose it. On the appearance of
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this order the writer of the anonymous address issued another, more subdued in tone, in which he sought to give the impression that Washington approved of the scheme.
The meeting was held, General Gates presiding, and deep solem- nity pervaded the assemblage. Amid the most profound silence the beloved commander commenced reading the address he had pre- pared in these old headquarters, so compact in form and construction, so clear in expression and meaning, so dignified and patriotic, so mild yet so severe, and so important to the well-being of the unfolding republic.
" Gentlemen," he said, " by an anonymous summons, an attempt has been made to con- vene you together. How inconsistent with the rules of propriety, how unmilitary, and how subversive of all order and discipline, let the good sense of the army decide."
Pausing for a moment he drew out his spec- tacles, carefully wiped and adjusted them, and while doing so remarked: "These eyes, my friends, have grown dim, and these locks white in the service; yet I have never doubted the justice of my country."
This simple remark, under the circumstances had a powerful effect on the assembly. He concluded his address with these memorable words:
"Let me conjure you in the name of the common country, as you value your own sacred honor, as you respect the rights of humanity and the national character of America, to ex- press the utmost horror and detestation of the man who wishes under any specious pretence to overturn the liberties of our country, who wickedly attempts to open the floodgates of civil discord and drench our rising Empire in blood. By thus determining and thus acting you will pursue the plain and direct road to the attainment of your wishes-you will defeat the insidious designs of our enemies. who are compelled to resort from open force to secret artifice, and you will give one more distin- guished proof of unexampled patriotism and patient virtue, rising superior to the most com- plicated sufferings, and you will by the dignity of your conduct afford occasion for posterity to say, when speaking of the glorious example you have exhibited to mankind: Had this day been wanting, the world had never seen the last stage of perfection to which human virtue is capable of attaining."
Then he descended from the platform and walked out of the building, leaving the officers to discuss the matter, unrestrained by his presence. Their conference was brief. They passed resolutions by unanimous vote, express- ing unshaken confidence in their chief and in Congress, and their determination to bear with patience their griev- ances until in due time they should be redressed. More than forty years elapsed before it was discovered that the writer of these anonymous addresses was Major John Armstrong, one of General Gates's aides, who after the war held civil offices of distinction in our government. .
Let it not be supposed that strict discipline was not maintained during all these trying times. The troops were regularly drilled and exercised. We read in Washington's orders that John Blaisdell, for breaking open the clothing store at Newburgh, and stealing from there a number of boots and shoes, was sentenced to be reduced to a private sentinel, and to receive twenty-five lashes on his naked back
each morning for four mornings successively. And only four days be- fore the proclamation of the cessation of hostilities, Jeremiah Allen, a drummer, for stealing a number of shirts and blankets out of the public store at Newburgh, was sentenced to receive twenty-five lashes at four different periods, each time in front of a different regiment.
A BEACON FIRE,
Religions services were conducted with regularity and decorum every Sabbath, and the chaplains labored with zeal and ability. Regimental gardens were laid ont, for the purpose of raising greens and vegetables. Seeds were obtained from the farmers in the surrounding country.
But at last the tidings of peace, so long prayed for, came. At noon, on the 19th of April, 1783, exactly eight years after the com- miencement of the war, the cessation of hostilities was proclaimed from the door of the New Building. Accompanying the order for
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this proceeding was a congratulatory address to the army, in which occurred these memorable words : " While the General recollects the almost infinite variety of scenes through which we have passed, with a mixture of pleasure and astonishment and gratitude ; while he con- templates the prospect before us with rapture, he cannot help wish- ing that all the brave men, of whatever condition they may be, who have shared in the toils and dangers of the glorious revolution of rescuing millions from the hand of oppression and of laying the foundation of a great empire, might be impressed with a proper idea of the dignified part they have been called to act, under the smiles of Providence, on the stage of human affairs ; for happy, thrice happy, shall they be pronounced hereafter who have contributed anything. who have per- formed the mean- est office in creating this stu- pendous fabric of freedom and em- pire on the broad basis of indepen- dency, who have assisted in pro- tecting the rights of human nature and establishing an asylum for the poor and oppress- ed of all nations and religions."
The little army was assembled about the building when the procla- mation was read, and three mighty cheers of joy went up, and then every voice was hushed as Chaplain Gano returned thanks to the Most High, the King of Na- tions, for all his great blessings. Then, with glad voices, that grand hallelujah hymn, "No King but God," was sung by the thousands of voices to the accompaniment of instruments-
SOME INTERESTING TROPHIES AT WASHINGTON'S HEADQUARTERS.
The States, Oh, Lord, with songs of praise Shall in thy strength rejoice, And blest with thy salvation raise To Heaven their cheerful voice.
To the King they shall sing : Hallelujah And all the continent shall sing, Down with this earthly king ! No king but God !
Can we not picture the scene? Can we not share their joy and pride as they give reverential praise and homage to Him who had brought them thus far?
May Rome, France and Spain And all the world proclaim The glory of the fame Of our loyal king. God is the King. Amen ! The Lord is his name. Amen May his reign be glorious, America victorious, And may the earth acknowledge God is king. Amen ! Amen! Amen !
Again at sunset of the same day the army is assembled on parade, and at the head of every regiment we hear the proclamation once
more, and the voices of the chaplains standing before them "render- ing thanks to the Almighty God for all his mercies, particularly for overruling the wrath of man to His glory, and causing the rage of war to cease among the nations." * Then all the soldiers drank per- petual peace, independence and happiness to the United States of America.
Orders were issued for a " general rejoicing" to take place later, and the regiments were ordered to square and deliver ninety-seven large pieces of timber for a frame for an illumination, which was to be a part of the celebration. The Tarbell drawings show this frame- work completed, and the accompanying inscription states : "The building erected to display the fireworks was not occupied for that purpose, as the display was made at Bowling Green, New York, in November, 1783."
The officers real- izing that the dis- solution of the army was drawing nigh, and wishing to perpetuate that friendship which numerous hard- ships, sufferings and common dan- gers had inspired in their breasts, resolved to form themselves into a society of the name of the Cin- cinnati. Several meetings were held for the pur- pose, at the Public Building, and an institution was be- gun. Some of the officers had serious objections to the institution, and for a time refused to become members of it. General Heath, for one, was opposed to the idea of anything that had any semblance of an order or any insignia or badge of distinction, asserting that it would only serve to mark them in an unfavorable light with their fellow-citizens; but the prevailing opinion of the officers was otherwise. General Heath, with the others, seeing that the organization was inevitable, at length signed the roll, for the sole reason that his posterity, if they should have no insignia of the society in the family, might think that their ancestor had been guilty of some misconduct which deprived him of it. On June 19, a number of the officers, viz., several general of- ficers, and officers commanding regiments and corps met at the New Building and elected General Washington President-General; Gen- eral MacDougall, Treasurer ; and General Knox, Secretary pro tem- pore to the Society of the Cincinnati.
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