From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library
From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library
From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library
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<strong>Farm</strong> <strong>House</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>White</strong> <strong>House</strong>, by William M. Thayer 182<br />
immediate attack. Without deciding <strong>the</strong> question, Washing<strong>to</strong>n requested each one <strong>to</strong> furnish his opinion in<br />
writing. Before this was done, however, <strong>the</strong> city was evacuated. On <strong>the</strong> eighteenth day of June <strong>the</strong> whole<br />
British army crossed <strong>the</strong> Delaware in<strong>to</strong> New Jersey, eleven thousand strong, with an immense baggage and<br />
provision train, and marched for New York by way of New Brunswick and Amboy.<br />
The American army was in pursuit as speedily as possible.<br />
"We must compel an engagement," said Washing<strong>to</strong>n, eager <strong>to</strong> give <strong>the</strong> foe a sound drubbing before it was <strong>to</strong>o<br />
late.<br />
"And we must do it as soon as possible," answered Lafayette.<br />
"There is no time <strong>to</strong> lose, nei<strong>the</strong>r," said Greene.<br />
General Lee was opposed <strong>to</strong> a general engagement.<br />
They were near Monmouth Court-house, and it was <strong>the</strong> night of June 27.<br />
General Lee had command of <strong>the</strong> advance, five thousand picked men, and his orders were, "Attack <strong>the</strong> enemy<br />
<strong>to</strong>-morrow."<br />
At midnight a horseman was galloping up <strong>to</strong> Washing<strong>to</strong>n's headquarters, when <strong>the</strong> sentinel challenged him.<br />
"Doc<strong>to</strong>r Griffith, chaplain and surgeon in <strong>the</strong> Virginia line, on business highly important with <strong>the</strong><br />
commander-in-chief."<br />
"Officer of <strong>the</strong> guard!" cried <strong>the</strong> sentinel. That officer appeared. Doc<strong>to</strong>r Griffith repeated his errand.<br />
"Impossible; my orders are positive," replied <strong>the</strong> guard.<br />
"But I must," persisted <strong>the</strong> doc<strong>to</strong>r.<br />
"You cannot," repeated <strong>the</strong> guard. "The commander-in-chief is intensely engaged."<br />
"Present, sir, my humble duty <strong>to</strong> his excellency, and say that Dr. Griffith waits upon him with secret and<br />
important intelligence, and craves an audience of only five minutes duration."<br />
He was soon ushered in<strong>to</strong> Washing<strong>to</strong>n's presence.<br />
"The nature of <strong>the</strong> communication I am about <strong>to</strong> make <strong>to</strong> your excellency must be my apology for disturbing<br />
you at this hour of <strong>the</strong> night," observed <strong>the</strong> doc<strong>to</strong>r. "While I am not permitted <strong>to</strong> divulge <strong>the</strong> names of <strong>the</strong><br />
authorities from which I have obtained my information, I can assure you <strong>the</strong>y are of <strong>the</strong> very first order,<br />
whe<strong>the</strong>r in point of character or attachment <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> cause of American independence. I have sought this<br />
interview <strong>to</strong> warn your excellency against <strong>the</strong> conduct of Major-General Lee in <strong>to</strong>-morrow's battle. My duty is<br />
fulfilled, and I go now <strong>to</strong> pray <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> God of battles for success <strong>to</strong> our arms, and that He may always have your<br />
excellency in His holy keeping."<br />
Doc<strong>to</strong>r Griffith retired, and <strong>the</strong> battle of Monmouth was fought on <strong>the</strong> next day. Washing<strong>to</strong>n, with his aides,<br />
was approaching <strong>the</strong> scene of action, when he met a little fifer boy who archly observed:<br />
"They are all coming this way, your honor."