Descriptions of General Washington

Journal of Dr. James Thacher, July 20, 1775

I have been much gratified this day with a view of General Washington. His Excellency was on horseback, in the company with several military gentlemen. It was not difficult to distinguish him from all the others; his personal appearance is truly noble and majestic; being tall and well proportioned. His dress is a blue coat with buff colored facings, a rich epaulette on each shoulder, buff under dress ,and an elegant small sword; a black cockade in his hat.

A Narrative of a Revolutionary Soldier, memoir originally titled Private Yankee Doodle, by Joseph Plumb Martin, Battle of Monmouth, June 1778

[W]e received orders to retreat, as all the left wing of the army (that part being under the command of Gen. Lee) were retreating. Grating as this order was to our feelings, we were obliged to comply. We had not retreated far before we came to a defile, a muddy sloughy brook; while the Artillery were passing this place, we sat down by the road side; - in a few minutes the Commander-in-Chief and suit crossed the road just where we were sitting. I heard him ask our officers “by whose order the troops were retreating,” and being answered, “by Gen. Lee’s;” he said something, but as he was moving forward all the time this was passing, he was too far off for me to hear it distinctly; those that were nearer to him, said that his words were - “d—n him;” whether he did thus express himself or not I do not know, it was certainly very unlike him, but he seemed at the instant to be in a great passion, his looks if not his words seemed to indicate as much. After passing us, he rode on to the plain field and took an observation of the advancing enemy; he remained there sometime upon his old English charger, while the shot from the British Artillery were rending up the earth all around him.

Journal of Dr. James Thacher, Feb. 26, 1779

It is natural to view with keen attention the countenance of an illustrious man, with a secret hope of discovery in his features some peculiar traces of excellence, which distinguishes him from and elevates him above his fellow mortals. These expectations are realized in a peculiar manner, in viewing the person of General Washington. His tall and noble stature and just proportions, his fine, cheerful open countenance, simple and modest deportment, are all calculated to interest every beholder in his favor, and to command veneration and respect. He is feared even when silent, and beloved even while we are unconscious of the motive…. In conversation, his Excellency’s expressive countenance is peculiarly observed on his lips, but a loud laugh, it is said, seldom if ever escapes him. He is polite and attentive to each individual at table, and retires after the compliments of a few glasses.

Joseph Plumb Martin, Yorktown 1781

[T]here came a man alone to us, having on a surtout, as we conjectured, (it being exceeding dark,) and inquired for the Engineers. We now began to be a little jealous for our safety, being alone and without arms, and within forty rods of the British trenches. The stranger inquired what troops we were; talking familiarly with us a few minutes, when, being informed which way the officers had gone, he went off in the same direction, after strictly charging us, in case we should be taken prisoners, not to discover to the enemy what troops we were. We were obliged to him for his kind advice, but we considered ourselves as standing in no great need of it; for we knew as well as he did, that Sappers and Miners were allowed no quarters, at least, are entitled to none, by the laws of warfare, and of course should take care, if taken, and the enemy did not find us out, not to betray our own secret.

In short time, the Engineers returned and the aforementioned stranger with them; they discoursed together sometime, when, by the officers often calling him, “Your Excellency,” we discovered that it was Gen. Washington. Had we dared, we might have cautioned him for exposing himself so carelessly to danger at such a time, and doubtless he would have taken it in good part if we had. But nothing ill happened to either him or ourselves.

Easter Egg # 1