Page:Great Men and Famous Women Volume 2.djvu/125

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ANTHONY WAYNE 289 erected at West Point, one of which, the fort now in ruins, bore his name. In the winter, he visited his family in Connecticut, and as he was returning to the army, at Morristown, was struck with paralysis. His right side was enfeebled, and his active career ceased, though he enjoyed the cheerful, tranquil pursuits of age. His memory remained unimpaired. One of his amusements was to relate to his friend and military companion. Colonel Humphreys, those events of his varied life, which that officer wrought into the pleasing narrative appropriately addressed to the State Society of the Cincinnati in Connecticut, and published by their order. The dedication of the work to Colonel Jeremiah Wadsworth, bears date June 4, 1788, about two years before the decease of the hero of the stoiy. Gen- eral Putnam died at Brookline, Conn., May 29, 1 790, in his seventy-third year. ANTHONY WAYNE* By O. C. Bosbyshell (l 745-1 796) ACROSS the pages of history recording mighty conflicts that rock nations and governments to their foundations, flash certain grand characters whose career adds a charm to the dreary and often pro- saic narrative. Some bright particular star, whose lustre flings romance over dry facts, firing the hearts of all patriots with enthusiasm and national fervor. Honor- ing the great commanders of the wars of the ages for their noble deeds, here and there sparkles out the brilliant genius of a warrior with less responsibility, but whose name inspires the ardor of men, the love of women, and the fervor of the poet and novelist. Such a character, such a man, was " Mad " Anthony Wayne, an able, fearless soldier of the American Revolution, so thoroughly patriotic, such an earnest, honest believer in the righteous cause for which he fought, that he was mad indeed with all found arrayed against the interests of the Colonists, or with those who, having donned the Continental uniform, were indisposed to fight. Anthony Wayne was bom in Waynesborough, Easttown Township, Chester County, Penn., on January i, 1745. He sprang from good English stock. His grandfather resided in Yorkshire, England, but during the reign of Charles H. pur- chased an estate in the County Wicklow, Ireland, and settled on it. Being a thor- 19 * Copyright, 1894, by Selmar Hess.