CHAPTER VI.
Entertainment given by the Society of Cincinnati: origin and statutes of the society: visit to the public establishments: dinner given by the French of New York: ball at Castle Garden.
On his return to New York, General Lafayette was informed that the society of Cincinnati intended to celebrate the next day, 6th of September, the anniversary of his birth, and he received an invitation to dine with them, which he willingly accepted. About four o’clock in the afternoon, a long file of venerable men arrived, marching two and two, holding each other by the arm for the sake of mutual support, which the weight of years rendered necessary. They were preceded by a military band, with which their tottering steps found it difficult to keep time. We went down to meet them, and were received into their ranks; a decoration of the order of Cincinnatus which had been worn by Washington, was attached to the button hole of Lafayette, and we commenced our march for the hotel where we were to dine. It was truly a touching sight to behold these old soldiers, the glorious remains of the war of Independence, conducting amongst them the companion of Washington, the adopted son of America. The crowd of people that filled the streets through which we passed, showed by their serious and silent conduct the respect which this procession inspired. The hall prepared for the entertainment, was adorned with trophies of arms, and with sixty banners bearing the names of the principal heroes who died for liberty during the revolutionary war. The repast was animated by the frank and cordial joy of all these old soldiers, who were delighted at the recollection of the dangers they had shared together. I had the pleasure to be placed at table by the side of General Fish, who at Yorktown commanded a battalion of intrepid militia, which under the orders of Lafayette, entered the English entrenchments with charged bayonets. He was kind enough to relate to me the details of this glorious action, and indeed of the whole campaign. The vivacity of his recital, which made me forget his seventy years, and the interesting traits of patriotism which were mingled with it, inspired a very lively interest. “I am well aware,” said he, in terminating, “that this campaign of Virginia, cannot be compared to your campaigns of Germany or Italy; neither were our fatigues and privations equal to your disasters on the retreat from Moscow.” “Neither,” added I, “can your results be compared with ours; you have won happiness and liberty, and we have riveted our chains and those of all Europe.” This melancholy reflection, poisoned for an instant the pleasure I enjoyed at this feast of patriotism and gratitude.
Towards the conclusion of the repast, a curtain was suddenly drawn at the end of the hall, and a grand transparency shown, exhibiting Washington and Lafayette holding each other by the hand, before the altar of liberty, and receiving a civic wreath from the hands of America. This sight caused new transports of joy among the company, the expression of which was only interrupted for a moment by the strong voice of General Swartwout, who suddenly began to read the order of the day at York-town, on the 17th of October, 1781.
Head Quarters, before York, Oct. 15th, 1781.
The Marquis de Lafayette’s division will mount the trenches to-morrow.
The commander in chief congratulates the allied army on the success of the enterprize last evening, against the two important redoubts on the left of the enemy’s work. He requests the Baron Viomenil who commanded the French grenadiers, and the Marquis de Lafayette, who commanded the American light infantry, to accept his warmest acknowledgments, for the excellency of their disposition, and for their own gallant conduct on the occasion; and he begs them to present his thanks to every individual officer, and to the men of their respective commands, for the spirit and rapidity with which they advanced to the points of attack assigned them, and for the admirable firmness, with which they supported themselves under the fire of the enemy, without returning a shot.
The general reflects with the highest pleasure on the confidence which the troops of the two nations must have hereafter in each other; assured of mutual support, he is convinced there is no danger, which they will not cheerfully encounter, no difficulties which they will not bravely overcome.
Prolonged applauses followed the reading of this order, and the hall was shaken by three cheers, when the company were soon brought back to sentiments of a different nature, by the plaintive voice of General Lamb, who sung a ballet composed in 1792, during the imprisonment of Lafayette in the Austrian dungeons, and which was then very popular in America.
As beside his cheerful fire,