By the winter of 1782-1783, the American Revolutionary War was winding down- yet it was not over. After the Franco-American victory over General Cornwallis’ army at Yorktown in October 1781, the Continental Army returned to positions outside of New York City to keep watch over the British Army stationed there. As peace talks in Paris continued, General George Washington and his army established their final encampment of the war at New Windsor. Little did anyone know how much history would be made during those anxious and trying months in camp.
History
In October 1782, a year after the Franco-American victory at Yorktown, General Washington moved his army approximately 60 miles north of British-occupied New York City into winter quarters at New Windsor. At the time, the Continental Army consisted of approximately 7,500 soldiers and 500 camp followers (wives, children, and civilians). The soldiers immediately got to work, cleared the land, and constructed nearly 600 log cabins by December of that year. Military standards were maintained throughout the camp and drills were executed, even though the chance for campaigning in the spring was extremely low.
During the army’s stay at New Windsor (while General Washington was headquartered in Newburgh) one of the most famous events of the war occurred: the “Newburgh Conspiracy.” By the winter of 1782-1783, the American Revolutionary War had dragged on for nearly eight long years, in which American soldiers experienced inconsistent pay and in most cases, no pay at all. This was largely due to Congress’ inability to tax under the Articles of Confederation, which made it extremely difficult to raise revenue to pay the troops. By March 1783, frustration and anger spread through the camp, as soldiers and officers were met with the thought of the war ending and being sent home without any pay. On March 10th, a petition circulated the army’s encampment at New Windsor, which called for the officers to mutiny if Congress did not provide funds to back pay the troops and promise to pay pensions following the war. A planned meeting on March 11th was denounced by Washington, who called for a meeting four days later on March 15th in hopes that the impassioned men would cool down- a meeting that he stated he would not attend. This meeting took place in the camp’s “Temple of Virtue,” a large meeting hall that was used for church services, military functions, and the occasional musical performance.
On March 15th, General Gates chaired the meeting, but was soon interrupted by none other than General Washington himself. Washington’s unexpected presence in the Temple shocked those present, who were not sure what he might say or do. In a nine-page speech he had written, Washington addressed his officers and expressed his concern over what had transpired over the past few days.
Lastly, Washington desired to read a letter written by Congressman Joseph Jones of Virginia, who supported the frustrated officers and soldiers. But as Washington fumbled through the first few sentences, he paused and reached for his spectacles. As the story goes, he remarked aloud: “Gentlemen, you must pardon me, for I have not only grown gray but almost blind in service to my country.” As he had done numerous times throughout the war, Washington appealed to their better natures and won over his men. The conspiracy was ended and crisis averted thanks to Washington’s genuine and sympathetic Newburgh Address.
Another interesting bit of history associated with the New Windsor Cantonment is the Badge of Military Merit. On August 7, 1782, General Washington established the Badge of Military Merit in his General Orders for that day. Interestingly, it was the first award that could be earned by enlisted soldiers and would be presented “whenever any singularly meritorious action is performed.” If awarded, the soldier was “permitted to wear on his facings over the left breast, the figure of a heart in purple cloth, or silk, edged with narrow lace or binding.” Only three soldiers are known to have earned the Badge of Military Merit, all while at camp in New Windsor. Those men were: Sergeant William Brown of the 5th Connecticut Regiment (May 3, 1783), Sergeant Elijah Churchill of the 2nd Continental Light Dragoons (May 3, 1783), and Sergeant Daniel Bissell of the 2nd Connecticut Regiment (June 10, 1783). It wasn’t until February 22, 1932, when the Purple Heart was established by President Herbert Hoover, inspired by Washington’s Badge of Military Merit.
On January 20, 1783, a preliminary treaty and the “Declarations for Suspension of Arms and Cessation of Hostilities” was signed at Versailles, which essentially ended hostilities between Great Britain and America- at least on paper. This news would not reach North America for some time, but on April 18, 1783, a “Proclamation for the Cessation of Hostilities” was released at New Windsor, in preparation for Washington’s General Order that would publicly announce a cessation of hostilities the next day.
On April 19th, General Washington officially announced the cessation of hostilities- exactly eight years to the day from the first shots of the war at Lexington and Concord. That night, the camp at New Windsor was enlivened by fireworks and ground displays, all to celebrate the end of a long and hard-fought war. Just imagine the joy and relief of the officers and men! Although the Treaty of Paris wouldn’t be signed until September 3, 1783 (and wasn’t ratified by Congress until January 14, 1784), the war was essentially over.
3 Historic Sites – New Windsor Winter Encampment
If you’re visiting historic New Windsor, there are a few sites associated with the 1782-1783 winter encampment that you won’t want to miss! Three of the main preserved sites/houses to visit (which are discussed below) are the New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site, Knox’s Headquarters State Historic Site, and the Edmonston House. Of course, be sure to stop by and tour Washington’s Headquarters in nearby Newburgh!
New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site (374 Temple Hill Rd, New Windsor, NY 12553)
The New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site was established in the early 1960s after the town acquired 167 acres of the original camp site. There is ample free parking on site near the visitors center and National Purple Heart Hall of Honor. We visited on a balmy March afternoon and thoroughly enjoyed walking the short loop trail and exploring the remarkable historic site.
Unfortunately, the soldier’s huts were sold off after the war and none of the originals remain on the property; however, there is a hut built circa 1770 (known as the “Mountainville Hut”) on display that was taken from a farm in Cornwall, NY. Additionally, there are multiple reconstructed buildings on site, to include the historic site’s centerpiece: a 1964-65 reconstruction of the famed “Temple of Virtue.” From mid-April to the end of October, demonstrations are given on site by costumed reenactors, which is fun and educational for the entire family.
Also on the grounds is a stone obelisk monument that was erected in 1891 by the Newburgh Revolutionary Monument Association to mark the site of the camp and the “Temple of Virtue.” This monument dedicates the land as “the birthplace of the Republic” and has a tablet on one side that reads: “this tablet is inserted by the masonic fraternity of Newburgh in memorial of – Washington – and his masonic compeers under whose direction and plans the temple was constructed and in which communications of the fraternity were held – 1783.”
Near the monument is a small graveyard, which serves as the final resting place for a few unknown Revolutionary War soldiers. One such “unknown soldier” was initially buried at West Point, but was moved to the New Windsor Cantonment in 1965 “to rest among his comrades.”
After visiting the gravesite and monument, be sure to walk the short and enjoyable pathway, which will take you around the property. There are also many historic signs on display, which offer a great deal of details and information about the New Windsor Cantonment. This trail will take you back to the monument and near the parking lot and museums.
One last bit of history about the grounds: in 1932, 138 veterans of World War One were presented the Purple Heart medal on the grounds of the New Windsor Cantonment- the first to receive the medal. Due to the history of the Badge of Merit and this initial presentation of the Purple Heart, the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor was erected on site in 2006 and can be visited today.
We had an outstanding time exploring the grounds of the New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site. Just being able to walk those historic grounds, imagine the hundreds of huts, and picture thousands of soldiers milling about really brings the history to life! Of note, there are a few reconstructed soldier’s huts across the road that can be visited, which are located on property owned and managed by the town of New Windsor, but not part of the state historic site.
For additional information, please visit: New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site
Knox’s Headquarters State Historic Site / John Ellison House (289 Old Forge Hill Rd, New Windsor, NY 12553)
Knox’s Headquarters State Historic Site consists of the John Ellison House (also known as “Mount Ellison”), which was originally built in 1754 by William Bull for Colonel Thomas Ellison. The Ellison family, known merchants and traders, used the house as a summer residence and operated a gristmill on the property. Although the beautiful Georgian-style house is best known as General Henry Knox’s headquarters from 1782-1783, it was actually used as a headquarters numerous times throughout the war by General Knox (who used the home three times), General Nathanael Greene, and General Horatio Gates. If you desire to tour the historic home, it is open from Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day, from Wednesday to Sunday.
Another neat aspect of Knox’s Headquarters State Historic Site is the nearby section of the King’s Highway, which was locally known as the Goshen Road. The sloped ground to the left of the house (in front of the historic sign) is a remnant of the original King’s Highway, which was an oft-traveled road in colonial days. Originally constructed in 1741, the road was used to transport goods and grains down to the docks and ships at New Windsor, which would then be brought down the Hudson River to New York City for shipment. Naturally, the Ellison property was built along the King’s Highway to facilitate the transportation of goods.
For additional information, please visit: Knox’s Headquarters State Historic Site
Edmonston House (1042 NY-94, New Windsor, NY 12553)
The Edmonston House, which was built in 1755 by William Edmonston, is located in the Vails Gate section of New Windsor. The house was used as a headquarters for Continental Generals Horatio Gates and Arthur St. Clair during the 1782-1783 encampment. Additionally, the house may have been was used as a headquarters for the medical staff during the army’s stay in New Windsor (although some historians dispute this). The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 and is currently managed by the National Temple Hill Association. If you wish to take a tour, it is usually open from 2-5PM on Sundays, July through September.
Legacy
The Continental Army’s final encampment at New Windsor, New York was undoubtedly a bitter sweet moment for George Washington and his men- they experienced severe lows while in camp (the Newburgh Conspiracy) and extreme highs (the cessation of hostilities and the end of the war). But at the end of it all, the soldiers broke camp and headed home- for some of them, it was their first time away from army life in nearly eight years. In December 1783, Washington headed to Annapolis, Maryland and resigned his commission- one can only imagine his great relief and excitement to return to farming at Mount Vernon. One thing is for sure: after New Windsor, an unknown future awaited the nascent American nation and her proud citizens.
Sources: New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site; Knox’s Headquarters State Historic Site; Mount Vernon: Badge of Military Merit
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