Patriot, The

Although General Washington did not keep a personal diary for most of the war, he did maintain one for 1781. His thoughts and observations about Cornwallis' surrender at Yorktown are included in his diary. (Follow the links to the handwritten originals.)

Within two months of the Treaty of Paris, Washington resigned his commission as Commander-in-Chief. (Follow the link to his signed resignation letter.) As Washington put it:

...the commander in chief is about to retire from service...

George III was shocked. How could a man with so much power willingly give it up to return to his wife and Mount Vernon, his Virginia farm?

Washington's resignation was treated differently from the standard Discharge from the Continental Army. Although Congress regretfully accepted it, and Washington's officers bid him farewell as he left his command, the General who prayed for wisdom during the toughest moments of the war would not be out of public life for long.

The hero, who had successfully led his young country through a difficult war, would soon have another job.