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