THE TOWN ,OF CORTLANDT. 171 



One of the most interesting associations connected with this spot, is 

 the recollection, that here were located the head-quarters of General 

 Washington. 



" On my return from the southward in 1782," says the translator of 

 Chastellux, (who has thought proper to withhold his name,) " I spent a 

 day or two at the American camp at Verplanck's Point, where I had 

 the honor of dining with General Washington. I had suffered severely 

 from an ague which I could not get quit of, though I had taken the 

 exercise of a hard trotting horse, and got thus far to the northward 

 in the month of October. The General observing it, told me he was 

 sure I had not met with a good glass of wine for some time — an article 

 then very rare — but that my disorder must be frightened away. He 

 made me drink three or four of his silver camp cups of excellent Maderia 

 at noon, and recommended to nie to take a generous glass of claret 

 after dinner • a prescription by no means repugnant to my feelings, and 

 which I most religiously followed. I mounted my horse the next morn- 

 ing, and continued my journey to Massachusetts, without ever experienc- 

 ing the slightest return of my disorder. 



" The American camp here presented the most beautiful and picturesque 

 appearance. It extended along the plain, on the neck of land formed 

 by the winding of the Hudson, and had a view of this river to the south. 

 Behind it the lofty mountains, covered with woods, formed the most sub- 

 lime back-ground that painting could express. In the front of the tents 

 was a regular continued portico, formed by the boughs of the trees in 

 full verdure, decorated with much taste and fancy. Opposite the camp, 

 and on distinct eminences, stood the tents of some of the general officers 

 over which towered predominant that of Washington. I had seen all 

 the camps in England, from many of which drawings and engravings 

 have been taken; but this was, truly, a subject worthy of the pencil of 

 the first artist. The French camp, during their stay in Baltimore, was 

 decorated in the same manner. At the camp at Verplanck's Point we 

 distinctly heard the morning and evening gun of the British at Kings- 

 bridge." 



Curiosity seizes with avidity upon any incidental information which 

 fills up the bare outline of history. The personal history of Washing- 

 ton more particularly, wherever it has. been traced by those who were in 

 contact with him, is full of interest. Some of the sketches given by the 

 Marquis of Chastellux, who passed this point of the Hudson on his way 

 to Washington's head-quarters below, are very graphic : 



" The weather being fair on the 26th," he says, "I got on horseback, 

 after breakfast, with the General. He was so attentive as to give me 

 the horse I rode on the day of my arrival. I found him as good as he 

 is handsome ; but, above all, perfectly well broke and well trained, hav- 

 ing a good mouth, easy in hand, and stopping short in a gallop without 

 bearing the bit. I mention these minute particulars, because it is the 



