On the orders of General Washington, nearly the whole army of the revolution, some 15,000 men, assembled to hear the Declaration of Independence. The patriots with their old-fashioned muskets, the mis-matched troops from the guard of the thirteen colonies, stood at attention. Short and tall, lean and squat, young boys and shaggy old men stood side-by-side within sight of the enemy fleet – and listened to the Declaration of Independence:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident…”
No general ever had such an army with different uniforms and assortment of weapons. Volunteers from 16 to 60, farm boys, fishermen, Puritans, back woodsmen and apprentices.
“…we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.”
Indeed this was a people’s army…an army of free men, ready to sign the Declaration with their blood.
(c) Patriotic Expressions and Patriotic Minute 2008
Not for reproduction without permission from author
