Washington's Headquarters, State Historic Site

This morning I had what amounted to a private tour of Washington's HQ, as I was the only one present at the scheduled tour time. General Washington established his headquarters at a private residence in Newburgh, NY on the Hudson River during 1782-1783. The house is a Dutch farmhouse, and is furnished as it was during the period of Washington's stay - very utilitarian, but roomy and comfortable for the day. During those days there would have been a small military city in the vicinity of the house - military barracks, camp hospital, etc.

George's wife, Martha, accompanied him and ran the household, serving as hostess to the constant stream of important people visiting the General, and she also managed the household including the kitchen, which was no easy task in those days.

The first photo is of the house, and the second is of a victory tower standing closer to the river, containing statues of soldiers and officers of the Continental Army, with a statue of Washington in the center. The actual pictures as downloaded to my computer don't look as dark as they do in this blog. I don't know why.



A statue of a Minute Man near the house.


A building housing a museum is also located on the property, but it is in the process of being completely renovated so I didn't get to see anything but the entrance and waiting area.

I have always been interested in history, but not so interested in wars, although war constitutes most of history and probably always will. This area of New York is so steeped in the history of the Revolutionary War that it's difficult to not get interested in the local events during that period of time. The more I read and hear about George Washington, the more I admire and respect him, for his selfless devotion to the formation of the country as well as to its people.

This site is the first historic site in the Nation. It was here that Washington created the Badge of Military Merit, for which enlisted men could be nominated by their commanding officers for unusual bravery. This badge has evolved into what is now known as the Purple Heart.

It was here that Washington penned what is called the "Circular Letter", which he sent to the governors of the 13 states. It was unusual, and probably not politically correct for him to have not sent it to Congress. I am going to copy the four points expressed in this letter because they are said to have become the cornerstone of the Constitution. I believe the fourth point is incredibly needed today. In the words of General George Washington:

"There are four things, which I humbly conceive, are essential to the well being, I may even venture to say, to the existence of the United States as an Independent Power:

1st. An indissoluble Union of the States under one Federal Head.

2nd. A Sacred regard to Public Justice.

3rd. The adoption of a proper Peace Establishment, and

4th. The prevalence of that pacific and friendly Disposition, among the People of the United States, which will induce them to forget their local prejudices and policies, to make those mutual concessions which are requisite to the general prosperity, and in some instances, to sacrifice their individual advantages to the interest of the Community."

Most of the officers came from wealthier and better educated families than others, and they had to pay for their own clothing and equipment. Because the new country was so close to being bankrupt, these men served for quite a long time without pay. Washington ultimately got Congress to pay them, and averted what could have been a real detriment to the solidarity of the country.

I had intended to go further upriver to another historical site, but the rain had started up again. Since I had Lady in the car with me I decided to return home and go out another day.