General George Washington appeared before Congress to resign his commission as commander in chief of the Continental Army. In this eloquent letter, Congress accepted the resignation and expressed the gratitude of the nation for his leadership during the Revolutionary War.
Manuscript Division, Library of Congress
Congress’s Response to the Resignation of the Commander in Chief, December 23, 1783
Overseeing the Revolutionary Army
When the second continental Congress assembled in 1776, it found itself serving as the national government during the American Revolution. It established the Continental army, raised revenue to support it and appointed George Washington as the army’s commander in chief. Despite the army’s shortages of food and equipment, General Washington turned inexperienced recruits into an army that defeated the best troops in the world. At the end of the war, Congress received his resignation as commander in chief.
General George Washington appeared before Congress to resign his commission as commander in chief of the Continental Army. In this eloquent letter, Congress accepted the resignation and expressed the gratitude of the nation for his leadership during the Revolutionary War.
Manuscript Division, Library of Congress
