George Washington, an announcement to the American Army, 1776:
The Continental Congress, impelled by the dictates of duty, policy, and necessity, having been pleased to dissolve the connection which subsisted between this country and Great Britain, and to declare the united colonies of North America free and independent states, the several brigades are to be drawn up this evening on their respective parades at six o'clock, when the declaration of Congress, showing the grounds and reasons of this measure, is to be read with an audible voice. The General hopes this important event will serve as a fresh incentive to every officer and soldier to act with fidelity and courage, as knowing that now the peace and safety of his country depends (under God) solely on the success of our arms, and that he is now in the service of a state possessed of sufficient power to reward his merit and advance him to the highest honors of a free country. - General Orders.
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2 comments:
For what it's worth, the Virgina Gazette reprinted it on... 7/26/1776 I think. Got a copy from Williamsburg - neat seeing it in the "original" :)
That last sentence is an interesting one - I'd not thought on that part of it. I mean, what must it have been like to be amongst the rebels in '75 and '76 prior to the Declaration? The Crown's record on honoring its promises of amnesty should a rebellion cease were..... not good. I imagine there was quite a bit of "what the heck are we doing?" going on in the ranks, no matter how justified.
"It's a hard thing, boy.. to fire on your own flag."
I suspect there was quite of bit of trepidation in the ranks, along with the reassurances of non-coms and officers who'd served in earlier conflicts with Washington. "You have to trust General Washington, son; we're big enough to protect you now."
"Don't get captured" would also have been good advice, but that's another story.
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