TO THE OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS OF THE PENNSYLVANIA ASSOCIATORS

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - TO THE OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS OF THE PENNSYLVANIA ASSOCIATORS

Posted: 2/28/2010 4:58:35 PM EDT

I find it interesting that the National Guard regiment that I am in was the recipient of a letter from George Washington during the revolution. The 1st Battalion 111th Infantry Regiment (The Associators) 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team is still carrying on the tradition of our forefathers.

TO THE OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS OF
THE PENNSYLVANIA ASSOCIATORS

Head Quarters, August 8, 1776

Gentlemen:

I had fully
resolved to have paid you a Visit in New Jersey if the movements of the
Enemy, and some intelligence indicating an early attack, had not induced
me to suspend it.

Allow me therefore, to
address you in this Mode, as fellow Citizens and fellow Soldiers engaged
in the same Glorious Cause; to represent to you, that the Fate of our
Country depends in all human probability, on the Exertion of a few
Weeks; That it is of the utmost importance, to keep up a respectable
Force for that time, and there can be no doubt that success will Crown
our Efforts, if we firmly and resolutely determine, to conquer or to
die.

I have placed so much confidence, in
the Spirit and Zeal of the Associated Troops of Pennsylvania, that I
cannot persuade myself an impatience to return Home, or a less
honourable Motive will defeat my well grounded expectation, that they
will do their Country essential Service, at this critical time, when the
Powers of Despotism are all combined against it, and ready to strike
their most decisive Stroke. If I could allow myself to doubt your Spirit
and Perseverance, I should represent the ruinous Consequences of your
leaving the Service, by setting before you, the discouragement it would
give the Army, the confusion and shame of our Friends, and the still
more galling triumph of our Enemies. But as I have no such doubts, I
shall only thank you for the Spirit and Ardor you have shewn, in so
readily marching to meet the Enemy, and am most confident you will crown
it by a Glorious Perseverance. The Honor and safety of our bleeding
Country, and every other motive that can influence the brave and heroic
Patriot, call loudly upon us, to acquit ourselves with Spirit. In short,
we must now determine to be enslaved or free. If we make Freedom our
choice, we must obtain it, by the Blessing of Heaven on our United and
Vigorous Efforts.

I salute you Gentlemen
most Affectionately, and beg leave to remind you, that Liberty, Honor,
and Safety are all at stake, and I trust Providence will smile upon our
Efforts, and establish us once more, the Inhabitants of a free and happy
Country. I am, etc.

George Washington

Posted: 6/16/2010 11:02:43 PM EDT

[#1]

I find it interesting typical that he would address officers separately from Soldiers on a unit LOA.

None the less that's pretty neat.

Posted: 6/16/2010 11:06:15 PM EDT

[#2]

Quoted:
I find it interesting typical that he would address officers separately from Soldiers on a unit LOA.

None the less that's pretty neat.

That's pretty standard for the time.

Posted: 6/17/2010 1:56:55 PM EDT

[#3]

Does your unit still have a copy of the original letter, or is it in a museum somewhere?

Posted: 6/17/2010 2:48:05 PM EDT

[#4]

Unsure where the letter is, it might either be in a private collection or museum.

Posted: 6/18/2010 7:10:41 AM EDT

[#5]

That's too bad the letter is missing. It's interesting to think that something so historic now could have been regarded at the time as "OK- just another letter from a general" and not worth keeping safe. Of course, the unit was a little busy at the time!!

Posted: 6/18/2010 12:58:28 PM EDT

[#6]

I found that this letter is presently at the Library of Congress.

George Washington Papers

Our history is preserved.

Posted: 6/19/2010 9:01:43 AM EDT

[#7]

That's great to hear the letter is in a good place. Thanks for the reference to the LOC.

Posted: 7/23/2010 4:28:19 AM EDT

[#8]

Interesting, I did not realize the Associators had a modern descendant. Come to think of it I think my grandfather was a member of the 111th Infantry Regiment during WW2. Luckily he got transferred to the 5th Air Force before D-Day took place. Incidentally there is a reenacting group in central PA the portrays the 1st PB/Associators.

Posted: 7/23/2010 3:35:36 PM EDT

[#9]

The 111th was detached from the 28th ID in 1942 because the division was triangularized and the 111th served as a separate regiment for the remainder of the war. Initially they were assigned to coastal guard duty on the east coast but were then sent to the PTO where 3rd battalion conducted mop up operations on Makin Island, 1st battalion participated in the assault on Kwajalein Island, Company I assaulted Ujelan Atoll near Eniwetok, "D" and "H” Companies, Detached to the 88th Chemical Mortar BN assaulted Peleliu and Anguar Islands (the remainder of the 111th RCT arrived on Peleliu in Feb 1945 and conducted mop up operations), and Koror.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - TO THE OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS OF THE PENNSYLVANIA ASSOCIATORS

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I find it interesting that the National Guard regiment that I am in was the recipient of a letter from George Washington during the revolution. The 1st Battalion 111th Infantry Regiment (The Associators) 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team is still carrying on the tradition of our forefathers.

TO THE OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS OF
THE PENNSYLVANIA ASSOCIATORS

Gentlemen:

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