Saint Martin's Cloak

This post brings the series on George Washington’s Remarkably Modern Chaplain Problems to a close. Today, we will revisit some of the ground we’ve already covered and capture the last few remaining pieces of Washington’s correspondence that directly relate to chaplains. The core competencies of the modern Army Chaplaincy are:  Nurture the Living, Comfort the Wounded, Honor the Dead . Modern Army chaplains are both religious leaders and staff advisors. What did General Washington expect from his chaplains during the War of American Independence? As we’ve seen, he expected them to lead regular worship – on Sundays, when possible, and at other times when not. He also expected them to offer services, prayers and speeches at military observances as directed by Congress and the command. In his correspondence with John Hancock on the structure of the chaplaincy, Washington argued that chaplains should provide worship in the manner to which the soldiers in their regiments were accustomed,...

Washington occasionally received letters from his chaplains. What did the chaplains want? Recognition, assignments, pay and – in once case – exoneration. Recognition In 1778, Chaplain Israel Evans sent the general a copy of a speech he had given on one of the congressionally mandated days of thanksgiving. The letter hints that Evans’ speech, among other things, praised Washington’s character, and perhaps that’s why Evans sent a copy to the commander in chief. The chaplain appears simply to have wanted a pat on the back from the senior officer. I wonder if Evans let his brigade commander know that he was going to write the general. Washington, despite being buried by the flood of correspondence, diplomacy and decision-making required to manage the war, responded politely to Evans’ self-promoting letter. Revd Sir : Your favor of the 17th Ulto inclosing the discourse which you delivered on the 18th of December—the day set apart for a general thanksgiving—to Genl Poors Brigade, never...

In addition to their pay, chaplains in the Revolutionary War received one standard allowance of rations for himself and one standard allowance of forage for a horse. The standards Washington established at the winter quarters in 1782-1783 show one example of this provision. The Quarter Master general having represented his inability to procure forage during the Winter for the whole number of horses allowed to the General and other officers of the Line and Staff who remain with the troops in the New Windsor Cantonments, has proposed to supply in the following proportion—which has been approved by the Commander in Chief: .... Chaplain: 1 General Orders, 8 November 1782   That a ration of forage per day shall consist of fourteen lbs. hay & Ten quarts of oats for each horse. ... That there shall be allowed for Saddle horses.  Rations …. Chaplain 1 General Orders, 27 December 1782   Even today, all Army officers – including chaplains – receive a Basic Allowance for...

Chaplains today frequently offer prayers at military ceremonies and other similar events. They did in Washington’s day as well. His correspondence reveal that the general frequently directed his chaplain to take part in special military observances. Occasionally, on his own initiative, Washington asked the chaplains to prepare speeches or to conduct special worship services in honor of American achievements. When he learned of the British surrender at Saratoga, Washington ordered a celebration, complete with a short speech by the chaplain: The General has his happiness completed relative to the successes of our northern Army. On the 14th instant, General Burgoyne, and his whole Army, surrendered themselves prisoners of war—Let every face brighten, and every heart expand with grateful Joy and praise to the supreme disposer of all events, who has granted us this signal success—The Chaplains of the army are to prepare short discourses, suited to the joyful occasion to deliver to their ...

During the Revolutionary War, General Washington issued numerous orders to the army setting aside time for Sunday worship. The commander viewed worship as a universal human obligation, a duty of honor and thanksgiving that mortals owe the deity. Worship was also a means of seeking God's favor for the nation and the army, as soldiers lifted their petitions to heaven. On the human side, worship satisfied the mind and increased human happiness. Moreover, worship reinforced morality. Immorality threatened the army with both divine disfavor and military indiscipline. Washington first commanded his troops to "divine service" with their chaplains in May 1776. As the Troops are to be exempt from all duties of fatigue to morrow, the regiments are to parade on their regimental parades, and to be marched from thence a little before Ten, to hear divine service from their respective chaplains. General Orders, 16 May 1776 Washington ordered a rest from manual labor (“fatigue”)...

Washington wanted insure that condemned prisoners had access to chaplains of their own choosing. The first order to this effect is altruistic, even if assembling the whole Army to witness the executions sounds barbaric to modern ears. The prisoners under sentence of death, to prepare for execution, to morrow at 12 o’clock—The whole Army, except General Lincoln’s division, to be assembled for this purpose, near the Artillery park—The criminals to be attended with such Chaplains, as they choose. General Orders, 9 June 1777 The second order adds a new twist. Washington ordered a chaplain to collect intelligence in the course of his ministry to the condemned. Sir.  There are now under sentance of death, in the provost, a Farnsworth and Blair, convicted of being spies from the enemy, and of publishing counterfeit Continental currency. It is hardly to be doubted but that these unfortunate men are acquainted with many facts respecting the enemys affairs, and their intentions which we h...

Beginning in 1780, General Washington began as series of correspondence related to the status of chaplains who might be taken as prisoners on the battlefield. Washington wanted both sides to release clergy captured during the conflict. The letters anticipates an understanding that will continue to mature until it comes to full fruition in in the Geneva Conventions. First, the negotiation: Mr Beatty shall have my instructions to interchange a certificate with Mr Loring assenting to the proposal that chaplains belonging to either army when taken are not to be considered as prisoners of war, but immediately released. George Washington to Arthur St. Clair, 2 April 1780   Mr Loring the British Commissary of prisoners is to send you out a writing declarative on the part of the enemy that no chaplains belonging to the American Army when taken shall be considered as prisoners of war but immediately released. As an interchange of writings is to take place between you and Mr Loring, you w...

Abiel Leonard was a Congregational minister from Connecticut who served as a chaplain in the Continental Army. From George Washington’s correspondence, it is clear that the commanding general took a great interest in Chaplain Leonard. No other chaplain’s name appears nearly as often or as favorably in Washington’s letters and orders. Unfortunately, Chaplain Leonard’s story does not have a happy ending. Keeping Chaplain Leonard on active duty required Washington to write at least two letters, one to the governor of Connecticut and one to Leonard’s church in the town of Woodstock. Having heard that it is doubtful whether the Reverend Mr Leonard from your Colony, from the circumstances of his affairs, will have it in his power to continue here as a Chaplain, I cannot but express some concern, as I think his departure will be a loss—His general conduct has been exemplary and praiseworthy—In discharging the duties of his office, active and industrious—He has discovered himself a warm and ...

The earliest reference to a chaplain in George Washington’s writings during the Revolutionary War is a short announcement. The Revd Mr John Murray is appointed Chaplain to the Rhode-Island Regiments and is to be respected as such. General Orders, 17 September 1775 The order appears unremarkable until you realize that this is the only such appointment announced in Washington’s general orders. Why did Washington feel the need to issue an order with reference to this particular appointment? The answer is found in the words at the end of the line, “and is to be respected as such.” In this case, Washington’s words are not an abstract sentiment about respect for chaplains in general. Some chaplains did not like John Murray and were unwilling to accept him. Why? Murray was the founder of the first Universalist church in the United States. He denied the common Christian teaching about hell and held an unorthodox view of the Trinity. Both views would have separated him from the Congregation...

The Army Chaplain Corps claims July 29, 1775 as the date of its birth. On that date, the Continental Congress set the rate of pay for chaplains at $20 per month, the same as a captain of infantry. Although $20 per month exceeded the average working man’s income in that era, General Washington’s chaplains were not happy with their salaries. At the end of December 1775, Washington wrote John Hancock, the president of the Congress. According to the letter, the general had been receiving complaints from his chaplains.  I have Long had it on my mind to mention to Congress, that frequent applications had been made to me, respecting the Chaplains pay—which is too Small to encourage men of Abilities—Some of them who have Left their flocks, are obliged to pay the parson acting for them, more than they receive—I need not point out the great utility of Gentlemen whose Lives & Conversation are unexceptionable, being employed for that Service, in this Army, there are two ways of makeing it...

From 1755 to 1758, Colonel George Washington served as the commander of the First Virginia Regiment in the French and Indian War (1754-1763), a conflict that widened globally into the Seven Years War (1756-1763). The regiment consisted of about 1200 men. For much of his command, the want of a chaplain remained a persistent thorn in Washington’s side. Extracts from Washington’s correspondence with colonial leaders in Virginia tell the story. In 1756, Washington wrote Lieutenant Governor Robert Dinwiddie that his officers wanted a chaplain so much that they were willing to pay the chaplain’s salary themselves. The want of a Chaplain does, I humbly conceive, reflect dishonor upon the Regiment, as all other Officers are allowed. The Gentlemen of the Corps are sensible of this, and did propose to support one at their private expence—But I think it would have a more graceful appearance were he appointed as others are. George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 23 September 1756 Perhaps Washi...