ANTHONY WAYNE. Ir decision, promptness, and energy of character, combined with a sound judgment, correct principles, an ardent patriotism, and faithful service, merit distinction and a grateful record, no one is more entitled to them than the gallant WAYNE. There is, indeed, something in the name of WAYNE, which immediately presents to the mind of every American, well read in the history of his country, the image of a bold, enterprising, and active officer, of a ready will and prompt execution; always ready to attack his enemy sword in hand, but impatient of restraint. This is the trait of his character, which particularly distinguishes him from those with whom he acted in the revolution, but, which peculiarly fitted him for the services on which his military reputation is established. It has been said of him, by one who knew him well, that he had "a constitutional attachment to the decision of the sword," and that "the general and his soldiers were singularly fitted for close and stubborn action, hand to hand, in the centre of the army." This may be accounted for on very probable grounds: his grandfather had been a commander of dragoons at the battle of the Boyne, and his father had distinguished himself in frequent conflicts with the Indians; young WAYNE had consequently "heard of battles, and he long'd To follow to the field some warlike chief." Even at school, his studies were neglected for military amusements, and it was only by the dread of being compelled to labor on his father's farm, that his attention was diverted to his proper duties. The subject of this sketch was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, on the first of January, 1745. Notwithstanding his distaste for his early studies, he left the Philadelphia academy, at the age of eighteen, a good mathematician, and commenced the business of a surveyor, which he pursued with success for some years, during which time, he turned his attention to engineering and astronomy, and has left some valuable manuscripts on those subjects. He took a deep interest |