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LEGIONVILLE, Feb. 24, 1793. The 22nd instant, being the anniversary birthday of the PRESIDENT of the United States-Major General Wayne, Commander-in-Chief of the American Army, issued the following orders for a general Review in honor of the day-The Legionary Corps consisting of Cavalry, Artillery, Infantry, and Corps of Riflemen. "Headquarters, Legionville, February 20, 1793."
The legion will be reviewed the day after tomorrow, at 10 o'clock, A.M. when every soldier capable of doing duty, must appear as a soldier ought to do, and for which the respective officers will be accountable.
The cavalry, artillery, and infantry will march in two column; the (Right ?) platoon in front of the right, and the left platoon in front of the left. The artillery and cavalry equally divided in front and rear of each column. The guards for the redoubts No. 1 and 2, will form the van and rear guards of the right columnThose of No. 3 and 4 will be the van and rear guards of the left column-When the columns display, the cavalry, artillery, van and rear guards attached to the left column will form on the left-The right wing of rifle corps will march in open filed, forming a column of flankers on the right-The left wing of rifle corps will march in the same order, forming a column of flankers on the left, and will form to the left. The signal for marching will be a gun from the park of artillery.
The legion were drawn up on their usual parade, and took up the line of march as directed in the orders for the day, strongly flanked by the rifle companies, and gained a commanding eminence some distance in front of the grand cantonment, drew up in form, and preserved and utmost regularity throughout the whole of their maneuvers-Each officer and soldier appearing in perfect military dress.
Considerable time took place in going through the various evolutions and firings, highly pleasing to every spectator.
The legion formed in two columns as before, with the artillery and ammunition waggons in the center, continuing their march to the left, previous to which, a considerable number of infantry and rifle men were detached, with orders to possess strong grounds, in front of the Iine of march, when on the approach of the columns, a brisk engagement took place, and soon became general, and bearing with it much the appearance of a real action for upwards of twenty minutes, owing to the incessant peals of cannon and muskeetry.
The columns having formed a hollow spauare, the cavalry in the center, whence they sallied forth, and with the light troops made a brisk charge and terminated the engagement, which was obstinately maintained in every direction.
The firings having ceased, the legion regained the grand parade, and having formed the line in front discharged three times with their usual regularity. The artillery were then advanced in front of the line and commenced the federal salute of three times fifteen shells from howitzers, highly delightful to behold in their ranges, and explosions in the air, each reechoing the day so estimable in the remembrance of each patriot citizen and soldier.
About three o'clock in the afternoon the legion returned to their cantonment in the dame manner they marched off in the morning, and on being drawn upon their accustomed parade the Commander in Chief passed in review and received the salute of the line. The troops being dismissed, the General gave all the officers off duty the polite invitation of dining with him, at which agreeable interview hospitality presided, and brotherly love pervaded the whole. The dinner being ended, the following patriotic toasts were given:
1. The PRESIDENT, and the Day-May he see many happy returns of it.
2. May our meeting with the Savages produce conviction to the world, that the American Legion are the only troops proper to oppose them.
3. The American Fair-May the Legion at all times merit their smiles.
4. The memory of those Heroes who fell in defense of American Liberty.
5. The American Legislatures-May their laws be founded in wisdom, and obeyed with promptitude.
6. The non-commissioned officers and privates of the late Army and of the present Legion.
7. The Nation of France-May her arms be triumphant and her liberty permanent.
8. Our Friend and Brother LaFayette-May a generous nation forgive his errors (if any) and receive him to her bosom.
9. The Land we live in-May America prove a secure assylum to the unfortunate.
This ended the day with the utmost hilarity and good order throughout the whole army, and in the evening artilliant fire works were exhibited in the artillery park.
A Spectator
To preserve the historical authenticity of the original transcript, errors in grammer and spelling have not been corrected.