The border vidette., 1931-05-02
WHEN THE REVOLUTION ENDED

The cessation of hostilities be
tween the Uoited States and
Great Britain was proclaimed
April ,19. 1888. to the soldiers of
the Continental army by order of
General George Washington in
headquarters at Newburgh. Con.
gress had issued. q few days
before, the official notification
that the Revolutionary War WAS
ct "a end.
The 148.h anniversary Of
Wasbington's proclamation 10
noted by the Division of Infor.
nation aud Publication of the
George Washington Bicentennial
Commission ia q staten re
calling the event.
The Revolution had practically
ended with the surrender of Lord
CORVALLIS at Yorktown in Oct.
1881. 1t was generally realized
throughout the two countries
that there would be no more ex.
tensive campaigns, but both
armies were retained under arms.
A few skirmishes took place in
1882, occurring for the most part
between foraging or scouting
parties.
la one of these minor fights in
August some British soldiers at
Saint James Island, South Caro-
lima, were defeated by Captain
Wilmott. At Fort Wheeling,
Virginia. in the following month,
the last skirmish of the war was
fought. 1t also was 8 victory
for the Americans.
While there was little to be
gained by either side from this
kind Of fighting it was an in
evitable result of the proximity
of armed men representing two
nations. II was unavoidable as
long as Britain and the United
States we're officially at war.
Despite this fact. Washington
vigorously opposed any reduc
ton ia the army until the con
clusion OF peace. No one realiz
Led thecost Of victory better than
the man who had led Americas
armies throughout the war. He
was unwilling that the fruits OF
victory should be lost by q relax
alton of vigilance which might
encourage the British ministry
to continue the conflict.
Wsshington's feelings on re
ceiving official notice that hos
tilities were at an end may te
seen in bis proclamation at New
burgh. Preliminary articles OF
peace had been signed at Paris
IN November and January, and
it was beginning to be apparent
that the permanent treaty would
be based on these stipulations.
/ With considerable relief, there
fore, General Washington issued
the following order:
The Commander-in- chief or.
ders the cessation of hostilities
between the United States OF
America and the King of Great
Britain to be publically proclaim
ed tomorrow at twelve at the
New Building; and that the pro
clamatiou, which will be com
municated herewith, be read to
morrow morning at the head OF
every regiment and corps of the
army; after which, the Chaplains
with the several brigades, will
render thanks to Almighty God
for oil his mercies, particularly
for bis overrulinR the wrath OF
man to His own glory, and caus
ing the rage Of war to cease
among the nations.
"On such . happy day, which
is the harbinger of peace. q day
which completes the eighth year
of the war, it would be ingrati
tude to rejoice, it would be in.
sensibility not to participate, ia
the general felicity.
Happy, thrice happy, shall
they be pronounced hereafter,
who have contributed anything,
who have performed the meanesl
Office in erecting this stupendous
fabric of freedom and empire on
the broad basis Of independence
who have assisted in protecting
the rights of human nature, and
establishing an asylum for the
poor and oppressed Of all nations
and religions"