The Newburgh Incident George Washington Stops A Mutiny

In 1783, with the Revolutionary War nearly over, the American dream of an independent republic almost died at the hands of the army that fought for it. While Continental Army officers waited in camp at Newburgh, New York, for negotiators to end the conflict, their long-simmering frustration with Congress finally boiled over. Anger swept through the corps from the lieutenants to the generals. These men had had enough—enough of inedible rations, inadequate clothing and supplies, and, most important, years of foregoing pay. A coup was in the making. Even the British knew it. As one of their spies reported, military contempt for congressmen meeting in Philadelphia was so fierce that the army was “ripe for annihilating them.”

Just eighteen months earlier, in October 1781, American troops and their French allies won a great victory at Yorktown, leading to peace talks in Paris. Now, a formal treaty ending the war and recognizing American independence was expected from Europe any day. Yet, with success now tantalizingly near, the officers of army commander George Washington were flirting with mutiny. Some were eager to march on Congress in demand of their back pay. Others wanted to abandon the cause, disappear into the wilderness, and leave the bickering politicians in Philadelphia to the mercies of the British Army. Either course would bring disaster. Attack Congress and the government would collapse. Desert and the British could renew the fight and win the war. Do either and a dangerous precedent would set the military above civilian control, perhaps forever.

I’m sure there are others who would have his integrity and patriotism, but they were probably fired within the last 6 years. I came across a Bible verse that floored me....

Micah 2:8
“Recently My people have arisen as an enemy—
You strip the robe off the garment
From unsuspecting passers-by,
From those returned from war.

seems symptomatic to a greater problem

Did Congress ever not get paid?

It just re-affirms why Washington was by far and away the greatest General/President/All around leader this country has ever produced. I’ve read that story before, but loved reading it again. To go into that den of mutineers led by his enemy, the ever incompetent Gates and sway them to see his side takes a force of personality that few men or women have. I daresay, none of our elected leaders today could have swayed those men.

George Washington's Tear-Jerker [February 14, 2010]
On March 10, an anonymous letter appeared, calling for a meeting of all officers the next day to discuss the grievances. Within hours came a second anonymous letter, in which the writer, later revealed as Maj. John Armstrong Jr., an aide to top Gen. Horatio Gates, urged the troops, while still in arms, to either disengage from British troops, move out West and "mock" the Congress, or march on Philadelphia and seize the government... Washington strode into the hall and asked permission to speak. He said he understood their grievances and would continue to press them. He said that many congressmen supported their claims, but that Congress moved slowly. And he warned that to follow the letter writer would only serve the British cause. The officers had heard all this before -- the letter writer had even warned against heeding Washington's counsel of "more moderation and longer forbearance." The crowd rustled and murmured with discontent. 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. After finishing the letter, Washington appealed to the officers' "patient virtue" and praised the "glorious example you have exhibited to mankind." He then strode from the hall. His appearance probably lasted less than 15 minutes. An officer quickly made a motion to thank the commander for his words and appoint a committee -- all trusted Washington aides -- to prepare a resolution carrying out the general's wishes. The motion passed, and the committee soon returned with a resolution damning the anonymous letter and pledging faith in Congress. The resolution was adopted by roaring acclamation and the meeting adjourned.

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