The band played "The World Turned Upside Down." And for many, the world did seem
upside down. American forces -- conducted by General George Washington -- had faced down the
greatest Army on earth. And now in Yorktown, the "Lobster Backs" were relinquishing their arms,
going home, leaving George Washington and the victorious colonies with the momentous challenge
of starting a new and independent nation.
Lasting some six years, the Revolution had not been easy and the outcome by no means foreordained. At the outset, there were few willing soldiers and even less food, guns, and equipment. The horrible winter of Valley Forge was only one episode of many in which the American soldiers and their commander were asked to endure grueling and dangerous circumstances - with little promise of remuneration. And all in defense of something as intangible as an idea -- the defense of liberty! Never before had a war been fought simply for principle -- but here they were, a ragtag band of soldiers with many accents, many backgrounds, from cities, towns and villages up and down the East coast, fighting for the ideal of independence and the glorious goal of government by consent of the governed.
While many were critical to the effort, one man was indispensable -- George Washington.
Undermined by political infighting in the capital, discouraged by troops which lacked discipline and strong work habits, George Washington would not give up.
With nearly superhuman patience, he adopted a strategy of avoiding the British head-on, moving his troops quickly and then striking by surprise. Although the strategy required many years, bit by bit it achieved its desired end. Face to face with the vast expanses of the American continent, the expense of an overseas endeavor, and the relentless determination of the colonial General and the American people, the British could not keep up. And their enemy abroad -- the French -- were only too pleased to intervene on behalf of the colonists to tighten the screws.
After accepting victory at Yorktown, however, the war was not yet over. It was to be many months before the Peace Treaty was signed. British troops were still threatening New York City and the Continental Army remained on duty, waiting for pay. The soldiers were seeking a lump cash payment to be distributed when they left the Army. But with no response from the Congress, the troops grew restive and threatened a march on Congress.
Washington was deeply disturbed. Sparing no time, he met with the impassioned soldiers. He promised he would work assiduously to obtain their deserved pay and, in what has become a line famous for its timing and emotional appeal, he asked for their understanding as he reached for his glasses: "Gentlemen," he said, "you will permit me to put on my spectacles, for I have not only grown gray, but almost blind in the service of my country." Washington had fought too long and too hard to allow military attacks against the civilian government. The march on Congress was not to be.
Nor was Washington to seize power for himself.
On the return to his beloved Mount Vernon, Washington stopped in Annapolis, Maryland where the Continental Congress was meeting. Standing before the assembled body, he resigned his commission. "Having now finished the work assigned me," said Washington, "I retire from the great theatre of action, and bidding an affectionate farewell to this august body under whose orders I have so long acted, I here offer my commission and take my leave of all of the employments of public life."
Like Cincinnatus to the plow, Washington had decided to return to his farm, his family and
to abandon public life. It was a remarkable voluntary resignation of power, so remarkable that King
George III in England is reported to have exclaimed: "If he indeed does that, he will be the greatest
man in the world."
