George Washington’s Tear-Jerker

The New York Times ^ | February 14, 2010 | JOHN R. MILLER

[Pharmboy]

CIVILIAN control of the military is a cherished principle in American government. It was President Obama who decided to increase our involvement in Afghanistan, and it is Congress that will decide whether to appropriate the money to carry out his decision. It is the president and Congress, not the military, that will decide whether our laws should be changed to allow gays and lesbians to serve in our armed forces. The military advises, but the civilian leadership decides.

Yet if not for the actions of George Washington, whose birthday we celebrate, sort of, this month, America might have moved in a very different direction.

In early 1783, with Revolutionary War victory in sight but peace uncertain, Washington and the Continental Army bivouacked at Newburgh, N.Y. Troops were enraged by Congress’s failure to provide promised back pay and pensions. Rumors of mutiny abounded.

snip

Washington then opened a letter from a sympathetic congressman, but soon appeared to grow distracted. As his men wondered what was wrong, Washington pulled out a pair of glasses, which even his officers had never seen before. “Gentlemen,” he said, “you must pardon me, for I have grown not only gray but blind in the service of my country.”

The officers were stunned. Many openly wept. Their mutinous mood gave way immediately to affection for their commander.

[Lee'sGhost]

I’ll vote for that.

[Pharmboy]

Boy are you ever right about that...

[amom]

Thank you!

[onyx]

This is a keeper.
Thanks you two.

[Trajan88]

Awesome.

I've got an aunt/uncle/cousins near Newburgh... didn't know the General was there.

I was born in White Plains, NY. I remember going to Washington's headquarters in N. White Plains... looking out the windows (were wavey so assume they were the original window panes) and seeing a stamp/press that was used to make bullets... this was in the 70s. During the tour of the headquarters it was mentioned by the guide that the mfg. bullets were made from silver... probably to take out those nasty warewolves back in the 18th century :-)

[Pharmboy]

I visited The General’s headquarters in Newburgh this summer...definitely worth the trip. And, while he was only in White Plains for a short time (he had to stay ahead of Cornwallis), he was in Newburgh for almost a year and a half (Cornwallis was gone).

[neverdem]

thanks Pharmboy

[Cacique]

btt

[M Kehoe]

Bttt.

5.56mm

[rmlew]

I heard that the mayor of Newburgh wants KSM and other terrorists tried there.

[Pharmboy]

Yep...terribly depressed area like much of upstate NY. What 50 years of demo lib governance will do.

[ImpBill]

And one of Washington's greatest moments happened upon the occasion of his leaving the Presidency when he extolled Americans to not align themselves with political Party's. He warned against everything that has been going on for many years.

And "we the people" simply ignored his warnings.

We are paying a dear price!

[Dr. Scarpetta]

In the United States, it was the story of Newburgh and Washington’s iconic status in our early years that so firmly established a tradition of civilian control in the minds of both our military and civilians.

BTTT