Having exposed the treachery of the plan in view, Washington pledged himself to the cause of justice on behalf of the army:
... the sincere affection I feel for an Army, I have so long had the honor to Command, will oblige me to declare, in this public and solemn manner, that, in the attainment of compleat justice for all your toils and dangers, ...you may freely command my Services to the utmost of my abilities.39
In conclusion, Washington appealed to the lofty nobility of human conduct, when it is marked by the best of human character:
...let me entreat you, Gentlemen, on your part, not to take any measures, which, viewed in the calm light of reason, will lessen the dignity, and sully the glory you have hitherto maintained; ...to express your utmost horror and detestation of the Man who wishes, under any specious pretences, to overturn the liberties of our Country, and who wickedly attempts to open the flood Gates of Civil discord, and deluge our rising Empire in Blood. By thus determining, and thus acting, ...You will give one more distinguished proof of unexampled patriotism and patient virtue, rising superior to the pressure of the most complicated sufferings; And you will, by the dignity of your Conduct, afford occasion for Posterity to say, when speaking of the glorious example you have exhibited to Mankind, ‘had this day been wanting, the World had never seen the last stage of perfection to which human nature is capable of attaining.”40
Had Washington not been the soldier of honor and the citizen of character that he was, “the world would had never seen the last stage” of personal and public leadership “to which human nature is capable of attaining.” Given Washington’s commitment to a character of moral integrity, we can understand why he strove to be characterized as a man of truth and honesty.
CHARACTER EXPRESSED BY HONESTY AND HONOR
Honesty, truth, and candor were important values to Washington, as we have already emphasized previously. As a young military officer writing to the Earl of Loudoun, in March 1757, he had described himself as without “guile.”
Do not think, my Lord, that I am going to flatter; notwithstanding I have exalted sentiments of your Lordship’s character and respect your rank, it is not my intention to adulate. My nature is open and honest and free from guile.41
As a man “free from guile,” truth was foundational to Washington throughout his life. As President, nearly forty years later in a letter on July 31, 1795, he declared to Secretary of State Edmund Randolph:
It is not to be inferred from hence that I am, or shall be disposed to quit the ground I have taken, unless circumstances more imperious than have yet come to my knowledge should compel it; for there is but one straight course, and that is to seek truth and pursue it steadily.42
Similarly, in a letter to fellow Virginian, James Madison, Washington quoted an old proverb that he lived by, “It is an old adage, that honesty is the best policy.”43
Honesty was emphasized by Washington, because it was an inseparable part of honor. The General declared that an ensign had acted “inconsistently with honor and truth” when he violated an oath.”44 When an officer signed “a false return” he did so “to the Injury of his honor and contrary to good order and military discipline.”45 When the commander in chief delivered these verdicts, he was expressing his personal values, not just those of the court-martial of the Revolutionary Army.
As an example, earlier in his career as a young officer in the French and Indian War, Washington had determined to resign from the military. In response, the officers of his Virginia Regiment wrote an address to reveal their deep respect for Washington and his ability to instill “genuine sentiments of true Honor and Passion for Glory”:
Your steady adherance to impartial Justice, your quick Discernment and invariable Regard to Merit, wisely intended to inculcate those genuine Sentiments of true Honor and Passion for Glory, from which the great military Achievements have been deriv’d, first heighten’d our natural Emulation, and our Desire to excel...Judge then, how sensibly we must be Affected with the loss of such an excellent Commander, such a sincere Friend, and so affable a Companion. How rare is it to find those amable Qualifications blended together in one Man?...Adieu to that Superiority, which the Enemy have granted us over other Troops, and which even the Regulars and Provincials have done us the Honor to publicly acknowledge. Adieu to that strict Discipline and order, which you have always maintained. Adieu to that happy Union and Harmony, which has been our principle Cement!...our unhappy Country will receive a loss, no less irreparable, than ourselves. Where will it meet a Man so experienc’d in military Affairs?...Who has so great knowledge of the Enemy we have to deal with?...Who so much respected by the Soldiery?46
Washington had won the respect and honor of his inferior officers. But being honored by his superiors truly mattered to Washington. As a young officer, he wrote to Francis Fauquier on December 9, 1758, “If I easily get the better of my present Disorder, I shall hope for the honor of kissing your hand, about the 25th. instant...I shall think myself honored with your Esteem: Being, with the greatest Respect....”47
During these same years, he was faced with a dilemma. Having served in the British military in the war against the French and Indians, he was now confronted with a change of leadership in the British command. The new leader was willing to keep Washington on, but in what technically resulted in a demoted capacity. This was not because of poor performance on the young colonel’s part, but because of military politics. In the colonial context, a commission to be a military officer given by the King was automatically viewed by British officers as a higher rank than an equivalent rank given by a colonial Governor. Because honor was so important to him, Colonel Washington felt compelled not to serve under such terms—precisely because he loved the honor of military service. So he wrote to Colonel William Fitzhugh, November 15, 1754:
You make mention in your letter of my continuing in the service, and retaining my colonel’s commission. This idea has filled me with surprise; for, if you think me capable of holding a commission, that has neither rank or emolument [i.e. privileges of office] annexed to it, you must entertain a very contemptible opinion of my weakness, and believe me to be more empty than the commission itself.
Besides, Sir, if I had time, I could enumerate many good reasons, that forbid all thoughts of my returning; and which to you, or any other, would, upon the strictest scrutiny, appear to be well founded. I must be reduced to a very low command, and subjected to that of many, who have acted as my inferior officers. In short, every captain, bearing the King’s commission. . . would rank before me. . . .
I herewith enclose Governour Sharpe’s letter, which I beg you will return to him, with my acknowledgements for the favour he intended me. Assure him, Sir . . . of my reluctance to quit the service . . . Also inform him, that it was to obey the call of honour, and the advice of my friends, I declined it, and not to gratify any desire I had to leave the military line. My inclinations are strongly bent to arms.48
Young Colonel Washington had an equally strong commitment to honor as to his calling to serve in the military.
A few months later when General Braddock arrived in America and personally recruited Washington, he immediately reconsidered and signed on to serve with the General. But his motives had changed. Having no hope for a military commission that would allow him a real future in the King’s Army, his ambition now was to merit the respect of his countrymen. Washington wrote to William Byrd, a Virginian friend and leader on April 20, 1755:
I am now preparing for, and shall in a few days set off, to serve in the ensuing campaign, with different views, however, from those I had before. For here, if I gain any credit, or if I am entitled to the least countenance or esteem, it must be from serving my country without fee or reward; for I can truly say, I have no expectation of either. To merit its esteem, and the good will of my friends, is the sum of my ambition, having no prospect of attaining a commission.49
WASHINGTON’S EMPHASIS ON THE HONOR AND CHARACTER OF LEADERS
The importance that Washington placed on honor is indicated by the sheer magnitude—more than 4,000 instances in all—of his use of the variants of the words containing “honor” or with the older spelling of “honour.” General Washington emphasized the far-reaching consequences of officers who were concerned with honor and moral character. This was so important that he claimed that the very existence of the army was at stake. Writing to Gov. Nicholas Cooke on October 12, 1776, he explained,
The Advantages arising from a judicious appointment of Officers, and the fatal consequences that result from the want of them, are too obvious to require Arguments to prove them; I shall, therefore, beg leave to add only, that as the well doing, nay the very existence of every Army, to any profitable purposes, depend upon it, that too much regard cannot be had to the choosing of Men of Merit and such as are, not only under the influence of a warm attachment to their Country, but who also possess sentiments of principles of the strictest honor. Men of this Character, are fit for Office, and will use their best endeavours to introduce that discipline and subordination, which are essential to good order, and inspire that Confidence in the Men, which alone can give success to the interesting and important contest in which we are engaged. 50
Washington consistently underscored his view of the “immense consequence” of having “men of the most respectable characters” as the officers surrounding the commanderin chief. He wrote years later to Secretary of War, James McHenry as a new army was being contemplated to address the post-French Revolutionary government:
To remark to a Military Man how all important the General Staff of an Army is to its well being, and how essential consequently to the Commander in Chief, seems to be unnecessary; and yet a good choice is of such immense consequence, that I must be allowed to explain myself.
The Inspector General, Quartermaster General, Adjutant General, and Officer commanding the Corps of Artillerists and Engineers, ought to be men of the most respectable characters, and of first rate abilities; because, from the nature of their respective Offices, and from their being always about the Commander in Chief who is obliged to entrust many things to them confidentially, scarcely any movement can take place without their knowledge. It follows then, that besides possessing the qualifications just mentioned, they ought to have those of Integrity and prudence in an eminent degree, that entire confidence might be reposed in them; without these and their being on good terms with the Commanding General his measures if not designedly thwarted may be so embarrassed as to make them move heavily on.51
When character and honor were operative among the officers, daily operations ran smoothly.52 Character enabled an officer, as Washington himself had learned years earlier, to set aside personal advancement for the well-being of the country.53 Character and honor were at the heart of military discipline. Unbecoming conduct tarnished the honor and character of the troops.54 But because an officer’s character was sacred, caution had to be exercised in bringing charges.55 Washington’s Army had its share of “unbecoming and unsoldierly conduct.”56 Incidents of soldiers who were “lost to every sense of honor and virtue” included American soldiers plundering civilians,57 leaving the army in its time of need,58 misappropriating recruiting funds by diverting them to soldier’s salaries59 and even for gambling.60 The quality of one’s past character made a difference in the process of military discipline. Past bad character took away the leniency of the court.61 Past good character, however, disposed the court to be lenient.62
HONOR, INFAMY, AND THE PURPLE HEART
Character has the power to create a legacy that survives one’s death. And the American Revolution left us with the legacy of two of Washington’s officers whose names, due to their character or lack thereof, still survive. The first was Maj. Gen. Lord Stirling. In spite of the fact that he carried the British hereditary title of “Lord,” he served faithfully as an officer under Washington’s command until his death near the end of the Revolutionary War. In a happy play on words, General Lord Stirling was an officer of “sterling character” (a phrase from Middle English meaning a “silver penny” implying something of the highest quality.) This was so much so that at his death, a congressional honor was afforded Major General the Earl of Stirling. Congress reported to Washington:
On motion, Resolved, That the President signify to the Commandr. in Chief, in a manner the most respectful to the memory of the late Major General the Earl of Stirling, the sense Congress entertain of the early and meritorius, exertions of that general in the common cause; and of the bravery, perseverance and military talents he possessed; which having fixed their esteem for his character, while living, induce a proportionate regret for the loss of an officer who has rendered such constant and important services to his country. 63
Washington had written near the end of his life about the qualifications of general officers. Stirling had fulfilled Washington’s views cited above that ranking officers “ought to have...Integrity and prudence in an eminent degree, that entire confidence might be reposed in them; without these and their being on good terms with the Commanding General his measures if not designedly thwarted may be so embarrassed as to make them move heavily on.”
Washington also remembered the legacy of another officer with a different character. He had discovered, by a close call with disastrous treason, just how true his words were. The danger of bad character in a military officer echoes through history. Most Americans still recognize the name Benedict Arnold, for it has been a synonym for “traitor” for over two centuries. Washington’s General Orders of September 26, 1780, revealed the treachery that could be perpetrated when officers lost their sense of honor:
Treason of the blackest dye was yesterday discovered! General Arnold who commanded at Westpoint, lost to every sentiment of honor, of public and private obligation, was about to deliver up that important Post into the hands of the enemy. Such an event must have given the American cause a deadly wound if not a fatal stab. Happily the treason has been timely discovered to prevent the fatal misfortune. The providential train of circumstances which led to it affords the most convincing proof that the Liberties of America are the object of divine Protection.
At the same time that the Treason is to be regretted the General cannot help congratulating the Army on the happy discovery. Our Enemies despairing of carrying their point by force are practising every base art to effect by bribery and Corruption what they cannot accomplish in a manly way.
Great honor is due to the American Army that this is the first instance of Treason of the kind where many were to be expected from the nature of the dispute, and nothing is so bright an ornament in the Character of the American soldiers as their having been proof against all the arts and seduction of an insidious enemy.
Arnold has made his escape to the Enemy but Mr. André the Adjutant General to the British Army who came out as a spy to negotiate the Business is our Prisoner. His Excellency the commander in Chief has arrived at West-point from Harford and is no doubt taking the proper measures to unravel fully, so hellish a plot.64
In light of the deadly impact of Arnold’s betrayal and its violation of the character of honor required of officers, it is clear why Washington desired to encourage the highest character in his army. He wanted all his soldiers to be men of honor. In that spirit, Washington created the Badge of Merit,65 originally intended not for officers but for enlisted men. Today, it is known as the Purple Heart.66 It was granted to “suitable characters” who were worthy of “that honorary distinction.”67 In his General Orders of August 7, 1782, he explained that recipients of this Badge of Merit would be “enrolled in the book of merit which will be kept at the orderly office. Men who have merited this last distinction to be suffered to pass all guards and sentinels which officers are permitted to do.” And further, every other soldier should know, “The road to glory in a patriot army and a free country is thus open to all. This order is also to have retrospect to the earliest stages of the war, and to be considered as a permanent one.” All of Washington’s soldiers were to seek “the road to glory.” And just what was the highest glory on this road to glory? Washington had told his soldiers when they were at Valley Forge.
