Bedford (Pa.), December 5, 1794.
The dismission and sudden departure of the Cavalry, by Troops, from Pittsburgh to their respective states and counties, prevented the General of Cavalry from conveying in Orders, at that place and period, the thanks and good wishes of the Commander-in-Chief, so handsomely and friendly expressed in the following extract from his Excellency’s last Orders, viz.: “To the Officers of every description he presents his warmest thanks, for the faithful and able support which he has derived from their exertion, in every stage of the execution of the objects intrusted to his direction; and he intrusts them to convey to his fellow-soldiers, in the most lively terms, his respectful attachment, and his best wishes for their safe return, and happy meeting with their friends.”
This praise, though flattering and justly due, cannot equal the self-approbation every good citizen must experience, who has taken so decided a part to check rebellion, restore order, and establish the best of Constitutions. The nature of Cavalry service directed the propriety of ordering a separation of the Brigade, after passing the mountains, and now affords the General an opportunity of congratulating those officers, who were favoured with separate commands, on the success attending the design of the separation; as it must be acknowledged, that the Brigade of Cavalry, with those three very respectable Troops from the city of Philadelphia, commanded by Captains Dunlap, Singer, and M’Connel, capturing in one day, and almost at the same hour, every Insurgent of the western counties of Pennsylvania, who had not previously fled from Justice, or signed a submission to the laws to which they had so basely encouraged an opposition. The complete execution of this enterprise expresses, in lively colours, the great address of the Cavalry Officers, and the military prowess of their respective Commands.
Deign, fellow-citizens and brother-soldiers, who have acted under the General’s Orders, to accept of his warmest thanks for the cheerfulness and promptitude you have shown in obeying and executing his Orders. The satisfaction he experienced in commanding you can never be erased from his mind. This became sometimes painful, by observing old military rank, gray hairs, wealth, and character, placed, by choice, in a subordinate situation, which unpleasant circumstance could only be removed by beholding, at the same time, such honourable evidence of this fact, that a true American will never embrace considerations of this kind, to shield him from dangers and hardships, when called to support the laws of his country, should they ever again be insulted or opposed by any men or set of men, wickedly combined for that purpose. Dictates of Justice direct the General of Cavalry to request Doctor Charles Smith, Brigade Surgeon; Major Carle, Inspector of the Brigade; Major Samuel Clarkson, Brigade-Quarter-Master, and Major John Striker, Brigade-Forage-Master, to accept his thanks, for the attention they have paid to their respective departments. Acknowledgements are also due from the General to Le Chevalier D’Auterroches, his Aid-de-Camp, and to Brigade-Major Dunham and Coejeman, for their faithful services. Colonels Hubley and Gibbons, who honoured the General with acting under his Orders as volunteer Brigade-Majors, will likewise please to accept his unfeigned thanks for the aid he received from them. Major James Dunham, who has the honour to bring up the rear of the Army, and is intrusted with the deposite of their victories, has fully merited that honour, by the great attention and humanity shown, by him, to those unfortunate prisoners under his immediate charge; which has been often noticed by the General, with the greatest satisfaction, during the march to this place; and speaks in strong language, the goodness of the Major’s heart. A continuation of the same attention, with every precaution for the safety of those unhappy instruments of designing men, is warmly recommended, till they shall be delivered up to the Marshal of the state of Pennsylvania. To every individual of the Cavalry, whom the General has had the honour to command, he now bids an affectionate farewell; and sincerely wishes them every domestic happiness.
Anthony W. White,
Brig. Gen. commanding the Cavalry
ordered on the western Expedition.
(FROM CONTEMPORARY PRINTS)
New Brunswick, Feb. 3, 1795.
On Monday, the 26th, seventy-five officers of the New Jersey cavalry, met in this city and dined together at the White Hall Tavern, His Excellency the Governor and suite honored them with their company at dinner, after which fifteen toasts were drank. The next day all the officers waited on General White, delivered the following address to him, and partook of a cold collation at his house.
Sir.
With unfeigned satisfaction, we embrace this occasion, the earliest we have been able to command, to make our warmest acknowledgements to you for the very polite and friendly sentiment conveyed to us in your last cavalry orders. This public testimony of your partiality to us and interest in our happiness, has been fully evinced in many trying circumstances. Raw and undisciplined as we were, to have met the approbation of one, so complete in military science, cannot but vastly enhance the pleasing sensations we derive, from having lent a willing aid in support of our happy constitution. If we have acted with a degree of reputation to ourselves; if we have rendered service to our country, to you sir, are we much indebted for both these advantages. Your activity, combined with an extensive knowledge of your important duties, have at all times been eminently conspicuous; your zeal for the public good, and an affectionate regard for the honor and happiness of the New Jersey cavalry, have been too well noticed and too sincerely approved, ever to be effaced from our remembrance. To see the man, who has spent years in a continued struggle for freedom, and bled in asserting our dearest rights, again at the call of his country, step forward with that ardent enthusiasm which true liberty ever inspires, did not fail to command our grateful admiration and render us emulous of such virtue. May that sacred flame of liberty which you have been so instrumental in lighting up and supporting, long burn bright in this new world and extend its genial influence from continent to continent, until tyranny shall disappear and the whole world would be emancipated.