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Category: Letters & Documents

George Washington, General Orders, October 18, 1777

George Washington, General Orders, October 18, 1777

George Washington October 18, 1777 In celebrating victory, Washington always gives credit to God’s intervention. Head Quarters, at Wentz’s, Worcester Township, October 18, 1777. Parole Reading. Countersigns Rochester, Ridgefield. The General has his happiness completed relative to the successes of our northern Army. On the 14th. instant, General Burgoyne, and his whole Army, surrendered themselves prisoners of war. Let every face brighten, and every heart expand with grateful Joy and praise to the supreme disposer of all events, who has…

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George Washington, General Orders, November 05, 1775

George Washington, General Orders, November 05, 1775

George Washington November 5, 1775 As part of Guy Falkes Day celebrations, Colonial soldiers had taken to burning effigies of the Pope. Washington was appalled and believed such behavior would undermine their ability to attract support from Catholics in Canada. He banned the practice. Head Quarters, Cambridge, November 5, 1775. Parole Montgomery. Countersign Chamblee. Samuel Huntington, and John Englis, soldiers in the 34th Regt. of foot, tried at a late General Court Martial for ” Mutiny“–The Court upon mature consideration, are…

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George Washington, General Orders, May 15, 1776

George Washington, General Orders, May 15, 1776

George Washington May 15, 1776 Washington implements Congress order for a day of Thanksgiving and prayer. Head Quarters, New York, May 15, 1776. Parole Barre. Countersign Dublin. The Continental Congress having ordered, Friday the 17th. Instant to be observed as a day of “fasting, humiliation and prayer, humbly to supplicate the mercy of Almighty God, that it would please him to pardon all our manifold sins and transgressions, and to prosper the Arms of the United Colonies, and finally, establish…

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George Washington, General Orders, May 05, 1778

George Washington, General Orders, May 05, 1778

George Washington May 5, 1778 Washington called for prayers of thanks after France formally allied with the Colonists. Earlier, Washington had clamped down on anti-Catholic bigotry in the Continental Army in part because he knew the new nation would need support from France, a Catholic nation. Head Quarters, V. Forge, Tuesday, May 5, 1778. AFTER ORDERS It having pleased the Almighty ruler of the Universe propitiously to defend the Cause of the United American-States and finally by raising us up…

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George Washington, General Orders, March 22, 1783

George Washington, General Orders, March 22, 1783

George Washington March 22, 1783 Washington orders his soldiers to observe the Sabbath. Parole Ghent. Countersigns Holland, Ireland. For the day tomorrow Major Ashley. Brigd. Qr. Master 3d. Massa. Brigade. For duty the 2d. Massachusetts regiment. In justice to the zeal and ability of the Chaplains, as well as to his own feelings, the Commander in chief thinks it a duty to declare the regularity and decorum with which divine service is now performed every sunday, will reflect great credit…

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George Washington, General Orders, July 16, 1775

George Washington, General Orders, July 16, 1775

George Washington July 16, 1775 Washington orders his troops to worship and abide by Congress’s declaration of Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer Head Quarters, Cambridge, July 16, 1775. Parole Carolina. Countersign Springfield. The Continental Congress having earnestly recommended, that “Thursday next the 20th. Instant, be observed by the Inhabitants of all the english Colonies upon this Continent, as a Day of public Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer; that they may with united Hearts and Voice unfeignedly confess their Sins before God, and…

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George Washington, General Orders, July 09, 1776

George Washington, General Orders, July 09, 1776

George Washington July 9, 1776 George Washington announces the new policy of providing military chaplains. Head Quarters, New York, July 9, 1776. Parole Manchester. Countersign Norfolk. John Evans of Capt. Ledyards Company Col McDougall’s Regiment–Hopkins Rice of Capt. Pierce’s Company Col Ritzema’s Regiment having been tried by a General Court Martial whereof Col. Read was President and found guilty of “Desertion,” were sentenced to receive each Thirty-nine Lashes. The General approves the Sentences and orders them to be executed at…

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George Washington, General Orders, July 09, 1776

George Washington, General Orders, July 09, 1776

George Washington July 9, 1776 Head Quarters, New York, July 9, 1776. Parole Manchester. Countersign Norfolk. John Evans of Capt. Ledyards Company Col McDougall’s Regiment–Hopkins Rice of Capt. Pierce’s Company Col Ritzema’s Regiment having been tried by a General Court Martial whereof Col. Read was President and found guilty of “Desertion,” were sentenced to receive each Thirty-nine Lashes. The General approves the Sentences and orders them to be executed at the usual time and place. Passes to go from the…

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George Washington, General Orders, July 04, 1775

George Washington, General Orders, July 04, 1775

George Washington July 4, 1775 Washington believed that God’s favor would be determined not only by the righteousness of the cause but the behavior of the soldiers and citizens. Head Quarters, Cambridge, July 4, 1775. Parole Abington. Countersign Bedford. Exact returns to be made by the proper Officers of all the Provisions Ordnance, Ordnance Stores, Powder, Lead working Tools of all kinds, Tents, Camp Kettles, and all other Stores under their respective care, belonging to the Armies at Roxbury and…

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First Inaugural Address of George Washington, 1789

First Inaugural Address of George Washington, 1789

George Washington April 30, 1789 He invokes the Almighty Being, the Great Author, and “benign Parent of the Human Race.”   Fellow-Citizens of the Senate and of the House of Representatives: Among the vicissitudes incident to life no event could have filled me with greater anxieties than that of which the notification was transmitted by your order, and received on the 14th day of the present month. On the one hand, I was summoned by my Country, whose voice I…

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