Since Sept. 11, Americans have seen a resurgence of patriotism. In anticipation of the Presidents Day national holiday on Feb. 18, UNMC Today is featuring words and images of Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Today’s selection highlights Washington’s farewell orders to his troops.
Washington’s farewell orders to his troops
Approximately two years after the surrender of the British Troops under Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown at the conclusion of the Revolutionary War, and a month before the official resignation of his military commission, General Washington spoke these words to the Armies of the United States of America at Rocky Hill near Princeton:
“It is not the meaning nor within the compass of this Address, to detail the hardships peculiarly incident to our service, or to describe the distresses which in several instances have resulted from the extremes of hunger and nakedness, combined with the rigors of an inclement season. Nor is it necessary to dwell on the dark side of our past affairs. Every American Officer and soldier must now console himself for any unpleasant circumstances which may have occurred, by a recollection of the uncommon scenes in which he has been called to act, no inglorious part; and the astonishing events of which he has been a witness — events which have seldom, if ever before, taken place on the stage of human action, nor can they probably ever happen again.
For who has before seen a disciplined Army formed at once from such raw materials? Who that was not a witness could imagine, that the most violent local prejudices would cease so soon, and that men who came from the different parts of the continent, strongly disposed by the habits of education, to despise and quarrel with each other, would instantly become but one patriotic band of brothers? Or who that was not on the spot can trace the steps by which such a wonderful revolution has been effected, and such a glorious period put to all our warlike toils? (Nov. 2, 1783).
Above image is an oil on canvas by Joseph Wright, 1784.