Washington’s Headquarters

Washington could commonly be found amid his army. He inspected many of his regiments in formal parades. “General Washington Arrived,” noted Lt. Ebenezer Denny of the 4th Pennsylvania Regiment, on 14 September 1781. “Our brigade was paraded to receive him. Officers all pay their respects. He stands in the door, takes every man by the hand. The officers all pass in, receiving his salute, and shake hands. This is the first time I have seen the General.” Washington could also be found on the front lines, such as when he visited the Sappers and Miners on the night they were digging the first parallel, surprising many when they realized the cloaked officer was “his excellency.”