Posted on 02/19/2024 12:49:12 PM PST by Retain Mike
“The commander in chief expressed ‘disapprobation of such disorderly proceedings’ (ad hoc mass meeting of officers) as the illegally called meeting. He summoned a meeting of his own for the following Saturday, March 15, 1783. This was probably the most important single gathering ever held in the United States. Supposing, as seemed only too possible, Washington should fail to prevent military intervention in civil government?
George Washington was truly the “Indispensable Man”. He commanded a consistently ragged, underfed, seldom paid, often mutinous amalgam of regulars and militia through over eight years of war. Toward the end after Yorktown but before the peace treaty, his officers in March 1783 were determined to confront the Continental Congress with a list of truly legitimate, morally imperative grievances this body had ignored.
Washington opposed this initiative, which for him was brought into focus by publication in 1775 of the first volume of Edward Gibbon’s Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. He foresaw in this undertaking an outcome similar to successful generals leading their legions to destroy meaningful expressions of the Roman Republic. They were replaced with a never-ending succession of Emperors confirmed by a submissive and impotent senate that could place few if any limits on the powers the generals assumed. His officers agreed at least to assemble to hear him once more and his biographer James Thomas Flexner related what happened.
“Indispensible Man” indeed!
‘First in war. First in peace. First in the eyes of his countrymen.’
always.
Flexner’s book is perhaps the best bio of George Washington and his role in creating this nation. Well worth reading even if you think you know enough about Washington already.
I have his four volume history and I have read it twice. Such a pleasure.
My grandson referred to Washington as the G.O.A.T. of Presidents.
Yes. A man loaned to us by God. Such a blessing.
.
I thought I would get more than eight responses, but oh well.
Hearts! Hearts! First in the HEARTS of his Countrymen.
Thank you.
yes! yes!
sadly, history is a love for only a few these days. thank you though, the note on Gibbon’s Decline and Fall, was something I didn’t know about our Great Man, but it figures. this greatest generation (imho) of American men and women loved and learned from history and the Bible.
Washington was blessed. So many things happened to him (or didn’t happen!) and during our fight that I believe were miracles. Ensuring that the right man would lead us. Thanks for the pdf link in post 4 - downloaded.
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