FAREWELL! MY GENERAL! FAREWELL!
December 4, 1783
The War for Independence was over.
Thursday the 4th of December was fixed upon for the final leave-taking of Washington with his officers.
This was the most trying event in his whole career, and he summoned all his self-command to meet it with composure.
Knox and Greene, and Hamilton and Steuben, and others assembled in Fraunces Tavern,[4] and waited with fast-beating hearts the arrival of their Chief.
Not a sound broke the silence as he entered, save the clatter of scabbards as the whole group rose to do him reverence. Casting his eye around, he saw the sad and mournful countenances of those who had been his companions-in-arms through the long years of darkness that had passed. Shoulder to shoulder, they had pressed by his side through the smoke of the conflict. He had heard their battle-shout answer his call in the hour of deepest peril, and seen them bear his standard triumphantly on to victory. Brave hearts were they all and true, on whom he had leaned and not in vain.
Advancing slowly to the table, Washington lifted the glass to his lips and said in a voice choked with emotion:—
“With a heart full of gratitude and love, I now take leave of you. I most devoutly wish that your latter days may be as prosperous and happy as your former ones have been glorious and honourable.”
A mournful, profound silence followed this short address, when Knox advanced to say farewell. But neither could utter a word,—Knox reached forth his hand, while Washington, opening his arms, took him to his heart.
In silence, that was more eloquent than all language, each advanced in turn and was clasped in his embrace.