General
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