Genll
Washington's Farewell Orders issued to the Armies of
the United States of America the 2d day of Novr
1783--Rocky Hill, near Princeton,
The United States in
Congress assembled, after giving the most honorable
testimony to the Merits of the Federal Armies, and
presenting them with the thanks of their Country for
their long, eminent and faithful Services, having
thought proper, by their Proclamation bearing date the
18th day of October last, to discharge such part of
the Troops as were engaged for the War, and to permit
the Officers on Furlough to retire from Service from
and after tomorrow, which Proclamation having been
communicated in the public papers for the information
and government of all concerned. it only remains for
the Commander in Chief to address himself once more,
and that for the last time, to the Armies of the
United States (however widely dispersed the
Individuals who composed them may be) and to bid them
an affectionate--a long farewell.
But before the
Commander in Chief takes his final leave of those he
holds most dear, he wishes to indulge himself a few
moments in calling to mind a slight review of the
past, He will then take the liberty of exploring with
his Military friends their future prospects, of
advising the general line of conduct which in his
opinion ought to be persued, and he will conclude the
Address, by expressing the obligations he feels
himself under for the spirited and able assistance he
has experienced from them, in the performance of an
arduous Office.
A contemplation of the
compleat attainment (at a period earlier than could
have been expected) of the object for which we
contended, against so formidable a power, cannot but
inspire us with astonishment and gratitude--The
disadvantageous circumstances on our part, under which
the War was undertaken, can never be forgotten--The
singular interpositions of Providence in our feeble
condition were such, as could scarcely escape the
attention of the most unobserving--where the
unparalleled perseverence of the Armies of the United
States, through almost every possible suffering and
discouragement, for the space of eight long years was
little short of a standing Miracle.
It is not the meaning
nor within the compass of this Address, to detail the
hardships peculiarly incident to our Service, or to
discribe 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 dispise 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?
It is universally
acknowledged that the enlarged prospect of happiness,
opened by the confirmation of our Independence and
Sovereignty, almost exceeds the power of description.
And shall not the brave Men who have contributed so
essentially to these inestimable acquisitions,
retiring victorious from the Field of War, to the
Field of Agriculture, participate in all the blessings
which have been obtained? In such a Republic, who will
exclude them from the rights of Citizens and the
fruits of their labours? In such a Country so happily
circumstanced the persuits of Commerce and the
cultivation of the Soil, will unfold to industry the
certain road to competence. To those hardy Soldiers,
who are actuated by the spirit of adventure, the
Fisheries will afford ample and profitable employment,
and the extensive and fertile Regions of the West will
yield a most happy Asylum to those, who, fond of
domestic enjoyment are seeking for personal
independence. Nor is it possible to conceive that any
one of the United States will prefer a National
Bankrupcy and a dissolution of the Union, to a
compliance with the requisitions of Congress and the
payment of its just debts--so that the Officers and
Soldiers may expect considerable assistance in
recommencing their civil occupations from the sums due
to them from the Public, which must and will most
inevitably be paid.
In order to effect
this desirable purpose, and to remove the prejudices
which may have taken possession of the Minds of any of
the good People of the States, it is earnestly
recommended to all the Troops that with strong
attachments to the Union, they should carry with them
into civil Society the most conciliating dispositions;
and that they should prove themselves not less
virtuous and usefull as Citizens, than they have been
persevering and victorious as Soldiers. What tho'
there should be some envious Individuals who are
unwilling to pay the Debt the public has contracted,
or to yield the tribute due to Merit, yet let such
unworthy treatment produce no invective, or any
instance of intemperate conduct, let it be remembered
that the unbiased voice of the Free Citizens of the
United States has promised the just reward, and given
the merited applause, let it be known and remembered
that the reputation of the Federal Armies is
established beyond the reach of Malevolence, and let a
conciousness of their atchievements and fame, still
incite the Men who composed them to honorable Actions;
under the persuasion that the private virtues of
economy, prudence and industry, will not be less
amiable in civil life, than the more splendid
qualities of valour, perseverence and enterprise, were
in the Field: Every one may rest assured that much,
very much of the future happiness of the Officers and
Men, will depend upon the wise and manly conduct which
shall be adopted by them, when they are mingled with
the great body of the Community. And altho', the
General has so frequently given it as his opinion in
the most public and explicit manner, that unless the
principles of the Federal Government were properly
supported, and the Powers of the Union encreased, the
honor, dignity and justice of the Nation would be lost
for ever; yet he cannot help repeating on this
occasion, so interesting a sentiment, and leaving it
as his last injunction to every Officer and every
Soldier, who may view the subject in the same serious
point of light, to add his best endeavours to those of
his worthy fellow Citizens towards effecting these
great and valuable purposes, on which our very
existence as a Nation so materially
depends.
The Commander in Chief
conceives little is now waiting to enable the Soldier
to change the Military character into that of the
Citizen, but that steady and decent tenor of behaivour
which has generally distinguished, not only the Army
under his immediate Command, but the different
Detachments and seperate Armies, through the course of
the War; from their good sense and prudence he
anticipates the happiest consequences; And while he
congratulates them on the glorious occasion which
renders their Services in the Field no longer
necessary, he wishes to express the strong obligations
he feels himself under, for the assistance he has
received from every Class--and in every instance. He
presents his thanks in the most serious and
affectionate manner to the General Officers, as well
for their Counsel on many interesting occasions, as
for their ardor in promoting the success of the plans
he had adopted--To the Commandants of Regiments and
Corps, and to the other Officers for their great Zeal
and attention in carrying his orders promptly into
execution--To the Staff for their alacrity and
exactness in performing the duties of their several
Departments--And to the Non-commissioned officers and
private Soldiers, for their extraordinary patience in
suffering, as well as their invincible fortitude in
Action--To the various branches of the Army, the
General takes this last and solemn oppertunity of
professing his inviolable attachment &
friendship--He wishes more than bare professions were
in his power, that he was really able to be usefull to
them all in future life; He flatters himself however,
they will do him the justice to believe, that whatever
could with propriety be attempted by him, has been
done. And being now to conclude these his last public
Orders, to take his ultimate leave, in a short time,
of the Military Character, and to bid a final adieu to
the Armies he has so long had the honor to Command--he
can only again offer in their behalf his
recommendations to their grateful Country, and his
prayers to the God of Armies. May ample justice be
done them here, and may the choicest of Heaven's
favors both here and hereafter attend those, who under
the divine auspices have secured innumerable blessings
for others: With these Wishes, and this benediction,
the Commander in Chief is about to retire from
service--The Curtain of seperation will soon be
drawn--and the Military Scene to him will be closed
for ever.
Source
Text:
Papers of George Washington