Revolutionary War–dated ADS signed "John Carlile, Asst. Adjt. General," three pages on two adjoining sheets, 8 x 13.25, June 2, 1783. Handwritten extract of general orders, sent from Washington's headquarters at Newburgh, New York, to Brigadier General Moses Hazen at Pompton, New Jersey, setting out the resolution of Congress for the demobilization of Continental troops and providing Washington's detailed instructions for the implementation of the order. In part: "Resolved, That the Commander in Chief be instructed to grant furloughs to the noncommissioned officers and soldiers in the service of the United States, inlisted to serve during the War, who shall be discharged as soon as the definitive treaty of Peace is concluded—together with a proportionable number of commissioned officers of the different grades—and that the Secretary at War and Commander in Chief take the proper measures for conducting those troops to their respective Homes in such a manner as may be most convenient to themselves and to the state through which they may pass, and that the men thus furloughed be allowed to take their arms with them…
The Commander in Chief wishes to give every facility in his power towards carrying the proposed measure into effect with as great convenience and satisfaction to the troops as possible—for this purpose the contractors are directed to lay up adequate supplies of Provisions at the several Posts and places on the Rout where it will be necessary.
Generals and Commanding Officers of Lines will be pleased to make the interior arrangements for marching the troops of their respective states to their Homes—they will receive further instruction on the subject. The Commander in Chief is pleased to grant a full and unconditional pardon to all Noncommissioned Officers and Privates now in confinement, and they are to be liberated accordingly." In very good to fine condition, with scattered toning and staining, a few small repairs, and some minor paper loss.
The demobilization of the Continental Army began in 1783, even before the final signing of the Treaty of Paris in September. With the preliminary peace agreement reached in late 1782 and a formal cessation of hostilities announced in early 1783, Congress and General George Washington began preparing to dissolve the wartime army. Tensions ran high, as many soldiers had gone unpaid for months or years, leading to incidents like the Newburgh Conspiracy, where officers considered pressuring Congress for their due. Washington’s calm intervention preserved civilian control over the military and helped guide a gradual, orderly demobilization, setting a powerful precedent for the new republic.
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