Head Quarters, New York, August
3rd 1776.
Parole Uxbridge. Countersign
Virginia
That the Troops may have an
opportunity of attending public worship, as well as take
some rest after the great fatigue they have gone through;
The General in future excuses them from fatigue duty on
Sundays (except at the Ship Yards, or special occasions)
until further orders. [1] The General is sorry to
be informed that the foolish, and wicked practice, of
profane cursing and swearing (a Vice heretofore little
known in an American Army) is growing into fashion; he
hopes the officers will, by example, as well as
influence, endeavour to check it, and that both they, and
the men will reflect, that we can have little hopes of
the blessing of Heaven on our Arms, if we insult it by
our impiety, and folly; added to this, it is a vice so
mean and low, without any temptation, that every man of
sense, and character, detests and despises it.
Clarkson and Chase under confinement
for Desertion, and reinlistment into the Artillery, from
another Corps, to return to Capt: Bauman's Company until
Col. Ellmores Regiment, wh. claims them, comes into
camp.
Notes:
1. This order was rescinded in the
General Orders of 25 August 1776: "The General Order
against working on Sunday is revoked the time not
admitting of any delay."
The following General Orders, issued
to the Continental army at New York abut three weeks
before the Battle of Long Island and known as
Washington's order on profanity. From The Papers,
Revolutionary War Series, vol. 5, June - August 1776,
(Charlottesville and London: University Press of
Virginia, 1993), 551-52.
Text Source: The
Papers of George Washington