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George Washington Quotes about Army

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The time is now near at hand which must probably determine whether Americans are to be freemen or slaves; whether they are to have any property they can call their own; whether their houses and farms are to be pillaged

The time is now near at hand which must probably determine whether Americans are to be freemen or slaves; whether they are to have any property they can call their own; whether their houses and farms are to be pillaged and destroyed, and themselves consigned to a state of wretchedness from which no human efforts will deliver them. The fate of unborn millions will now depend, under God, on the courage and conduct of this army. Our cruel and unrelenting enemy leaves us only the choice of brave resistance, or the most abject submission. We have, therefore, to resolve to conquer or die.

George Washington
Army, Fate, Hands
Address to the Continental Army before the Battle of Long Island, August 27, 1776.

The fate of unborn millions will now depend, under God, on the courage and conduct of this army. We have, therefore, to resolve to conquer or die.

George Washington
Fate, Army, Conquer
1776 General orders, 2 Jul. Quoted in J C Fitzpatrick (ed) Writings of George Washington (1932), vol.5.

This tribe of black gentry work more effectually against us, than the enemy's arms. They are a hundred times more dangerous to our liberties, and the great cause we are engaged in. It is much to be lamented that each State, long ere this, has not hunted them down as pests to society, and the greatest enemies we have to the happiness of America.

George Washington
Army, Long Ago, America

Discipline is the soul of an army.

George Washington
Army, Discipline, Soul
George Washington, Stephen Lucas (1999). “The Quotable George Washington: The Wisdom of an American Patriot”, p.24, Rowman & Littlefield

An army formed of good officers moves like clockwork; but there is no situation upon earth less enviable, nor more distressing, than that person's who is at the head of troops which are regardless of order and discipline.

George Washington
Moving, Army, Order
George Washington (1795). “Official Letters to the Honorable American Congress,: Written, During the War Between the United Colonies and Great Britain, by His Excellency, George Washington, Commander in Chief of the Continental Forces, Now President of the United States”, p.272

Nothing can be more hurtful to the service, than the neglect of discipline; for that discipline, more than numbers, gives one army the superiority over another.

George Washington
4th Of July, Army, Numbers
George Washington, John Clement Fitzpatrick, David Maydole Matteson (1777). “The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745-1799”, p.359

Among many other weighty objections to the Measure, it has been suggested, that it has a tendency to introduce religious disputes into the Army, which above all things should be avoided, and in many instances would compel men to a mode of Worship which they do not profess.

George Washington
Religious, Army, Men
George Washington, John Carey (1795). “Official Letters to the Honorable American Congress,: Written, During the War Between the United Colonies and Great Britain, by His Excellency, George Washington, Commander in Chief of the Continental Forces, Now President of the United States”, p.93

The Army, as usual, are without pay; and a great part of the soldiery without shirts; and though the patience of them is equally threadbare, the States seem perfectly indifferent to their cries.

George Washington
Army, Usual, Pay

[T]he hour is fast approaching, on which the Honor and Success of this army, and the safety of our bleeding Country depend. Remember officers and Soldiers, that you are Freemen, fighting for the blessings of Liberty - that slavery will be your portion, and that of your posterity, if you do not acquit yourselves like men.

George Washington
Country, Army, Fighting
George Washington (1855). “Maxims of Washington: Political, Social, Moral, and Religious”, p.149

When we assumed the Soldier, we did not lay aside the Citizen.

George Washington
4th Of July, Army, Soldier
Letter to New York Legislature, 26 June 1775

When it was reported to General Washington that the army was frequently indulging in swearing, he immediately sent out the following order: The general is sorry to be informed that the foolish and wicked practice of profane cursing and swearing - a vice little known heretofore in the American army - is growing into fashion. Let the men and officers reflect "that we can not hope for the blessing of heaven on our army if we insult it by our impiety and folly."

George Washington
Fashion, Sorry, Army

The reflection upon my situation and that of this army produces many an uneasy hour when all around me are wrapped in sleep. Few people know the predicament we are in.

George Washington
Sleep, Army, Reflection
George Washington, John Clement Fitzpatrick, David Maydole Matteson (1776). “The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745-1799”, p.243

One of George Washington's main concerns was to make sure that his soldiers had adequate supplies of meat: A part of the army has been a week without any kind of flesh, and the rest three or four days. Naked and starving as they are, we cannot enough admire the incomparable patience and fidelity of the soldiery, that they have not been ere this excited by their suffering to a general mutiny and dispersion.

George Washington
Kindness, Army, Soldier

When Men are irritated, and the Passions inflamed, they fly hastily and cheerfully to Arms; but after the first emotions are over, to expect, among such People, as compose the bulk of an Army, that they are influenced by any other principles than those of Interest, is to look for what never did, and I fear never will happen

George Washington
Passion, Army, Men
George Washington, Jared Sparks (1839). “The Writings of George Washington: Being His Correspondence, Addresses, Messages, and Other Papers, Official and Private”, p.111

Every action in company ought to be with some sign of respect to those present.

George Washington
Respect, Army, Action
George Washington, Jared Sparks (1834). “(v. 2) Comprising official letters relating to the French War, and private letters before the American Revolution”, p.412

The Army (considering the irritable state it is in, its suffering and composition) is a dangerous instrument to play with.

George Washington
Army, Play, Suffering

... the benefit arising from moderate use of strong Liquor have been experienced in all Armies, and are not to be disputed.

George Washington
Strong, Army, Use
George Washington, John Clement Fitzpatrick, David Maydole Matteson (1777). “The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745-1799”, p.73

The General most earnestly requires, and expects, a due observance of those articles of war, established for the government of the army which forbid profane cursing, swearing and drunkenness; and in like manner requires and expects, of all officers, and soldiers, not engaged on actual duty, a punctual attendance on divine service, to implore the blessings of heaven upon the means used for our safety and defence.

George Washington
War, Mean, Army
George Washington, Thomas Francis Bayard (1775). “Specimen pages of a proposed publication of the papers of Washington, Franklin, etc”, p.14

Soap is another article in great demand--the Continental allowance is too small, and dear, as every necessary of life is now got, a soldier's pay will not enable him to purchase, by which means his consequent dirtiness adds not a little to the disease of the Army.

George Washington
Mean, Army, Soldier
George Washington, John Clement Fitzpatrick, David Maydole Matteson (1777). “The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745-1799”, p.441