General Washington discharges a meritorious soldier of the “Second New York Regiment” likely in 1783, while awaiting confirmation of “the Ratification of the definitive Treaty of Peace”
Important Revolutionary War–dated partly-printed document, signed “Go: Washington,” one page, 8.5 x 10. Continental Army military discharge headed “By His Excellency George Washington, Esq., General and Commander in Chief of the Forces of the United States of America.” In part: “These are to certify that the Bearer hereof Robert Ward Drummer in the Second New York Regiment, having faithfully served in the United States six years and six months, and being inlisted for the War only, is hereby Discharged from the American Army.” Signed at the conclusion in ink by General George Washington, and countersigned below by Jonathan Trumbull, Jr. On the reverse is a statement noting that the certificate “shall not avail the Bearer as a Discharge, until the Ratification of the definitive Treaty of Peace,” and that he is to be considered on furlough until that time. In very good condition, with toning and soiling, foxing, and small areas of paper loss.
On the battlefield, drummers had the responsibility of helping keep order in battle and make sure the soldiers functioned well as a unit. Drummers would play beatings telling the soldiers to turn right or left as well as to load and fire their muskets.
As commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution, General Washington took it upon himself to organize and train his soldiers. By war’s end, this highly disciplined and hands-on approach carried over into Washington insisting on signing every discharge certificate personally. According to Charles Hamilton’s, ‘Collecting Autographs and Manuscripts,’ Washington said: ‘These soldiers have fought long and hard. I wish to sign the discharge for each man, so that he will leave the army knowing that I appreciate his work and that I have personally looked upon his name and testified to his honorable conduct.’
