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Washington Saves the Revolution
If you appreciate American democracy and civilian oversight of our military, don’t forget March 15, 1783
On this day (March 15) in 1783, General George Washington spoke to the disgruntled officers of the Continental Army who were on the verge of rebellion against the Continental Congress.
The American Revolution was nearing its end. The last major battle of the war had taken place nearly two years before at Yorktown, a crushing defeat that broke the will of the British government to continue the war.
Nevertheless, Great Britain had still not formally recognized American independence. Negotiations had been underway, but differences remained — and British troops were still in North America (including in New York City).
Even though most hostilities had ceased, General Washington deliberately kept the Continental Army in the field in case negotiations broke down or the British changed their minds.
The problem was that the Continental Army was running out of patience. The war had been long, pay had been slow and incomplete (in some cases, none at all), pensions had been promised but were unfunded, and the soldiers missed home.
