August 11, 2002

George Washington Squashed Mutinies

Gen. George Washington, now revered Father of Our Country, was not universally respected when he was leading the War For Independence.

He had to put down mutinies in the ranks as well as fight red-coated British soldiers and Tory Loyalists.

This little known fact is brought to our attention by Herman Hebb, the "old ridge runner" of Tucker County, West Va.

The retired Navy Lt.-Commander, now lives in retirement at Punta Gorda. He has returned from a visit to the grave of his g-g-g-g-g-g grandfather William Hebb who was a member of Washington's personal "Life Guard."

The American Colonies launched its rebellion at the battle of Concord Bridge in April of 1775 by "Minute Men."

Continental Congress met at Philadelphia in the spring of 1776 to declare its independence from Britain. As the fateful document was being drafted, Washington was appointed general of all colonial armies.

He set out at once to assess the ability of the 13 colonies to fight the occupying British forces. Each colony chose two, trusted "patriots" to accompany him as a "life guard."

William Hebb of Virginia (now West Virginia) was one of the special patriots. Historian George DeWan provides details of an ensuing plot to kidnap Washington, assassinate his chief officers and launch an insurrection against the Patriots.

After organizing Patriot forces at Boston and Cambridge, Mass., Washington went to New York City in April 1776. "Loyalists" (to the king) already had hatched a plot against Washington's life and mission.

There were almost a hundred conspirators. The three ringleaders were William Tyron, colonial governor; David Matthews, city mayor; and Richard Hewlett a prominent loyalist at Long Island.

They persuaded Pvt. Thomas Hickey - newly appointed to the Life Guard -- to deliver Gen. Washington into their hands.

At the crucial moment, two of the principal plotters fled. Gov. Tyron took residence on a British merchant ship anchored in the harbor. Hewlett hid in the countryside until the British rescued him. Mayor Matthews barred himself in his home.

By circumstance, Pvt. Hickey was jailed by American authorities for attempting to pass counterfeit notes. He was described as "an Irishman and hitherto a deserter from the British Army."

Hickey told his cellmate Isaac Ketcham, another counterfeiter, of the plot against Washington. Ketcham squealed in hope of obtaining a light sentence.

Details of the plot were published by the Pennsylvania Journal: "The general report of their design is as follows. Upon the arrival of the British troops, loyalists were to murder all the American staff officers, blow up the [ammunition] magazines, and secure the passes of the town."

Pvt. Hickey was court-martialed and found guilty of mutiny and sedition. Other Life Guard members were implicated, but without evidence.

By orders of Washington, Hickey was hanged June 28 in a field near Bowery Lane. Twenty thousand Continental soldiers were said to have been spectators.

On the morning of the execution, Washington wrote to Henry Laurens, president of the Congress:

"I am hopeful this example will produce many salutary consequences, and deter others from entering into the like traitorous practices."

Washington's Life Guard there after was thoroughly dependable. It followed him everywhere. He authorized a Guard uniform of buff pants and vest topped by a dark blue coat and cocked hat. They carried his personal flag -- dark blue with 13 white six-point stars.  

Conway Cabal

As the War for Independence entered its crucial stage -- and Washington's victories were few -- there arose a movement in Congress to replace him with Gen. Horatio Gates.

The matter came to a head in October 1777 when Congress prepared to promote Brig.Gen. Thomas Conway to major-general. He was an Irish soldier of fortune who had lately been an officer in the French army. More significantly, he was a confidant of Gates.

Upon learning of the proposal, Washington wrote Virginia Congressman Richard Henry Lee who had moved the resolution for the Declaration of Independence.

"The appointment will be as unfortunate a measure as ever was adopted," declared Washington. "I may add, and I think with truth, that it will give a fatal blow to the existence of the army.

"General Conway's merit as an officer, and his importance in the army, exists more in his own imagination than in reality."

Washington explained that Conway was the youngest brigadier in the army, and his "exaltation over all the eldest would create dangerous dissatisfaction."

He added a veiled warning: "I have undergone more than most men are aware of, to harmonize so many discordant parts. It will be impossible for me to be of any further service, if such insuperable difficulties are thrown in my way."

Conway was informed of Washington's opposition. Thereafter he became conspicuous in writing scurrilous letters to prominent congressmen accusing Washington of 'recent disasters." He was so outrageously vocal, the whole anti-Washington movement became known as the Conway Cabal.

Congressional critics -- knowing they could not dismiss the widely trusted Washington -- in Nov. 1777 created a Board of War. Gen. Gates was appointed board president.

The board was invested with large powers by which Gates would assume control of military affairs.

By this time, the French had entered the war on behalf of the American colonies. Marquis Lafayette, a prominent French Army officer, was commissioned a major-general in the Continental Army by Congress. He and Washington became close friends.

The cabal knew it would incur Lafayette's wrath, and jeopardize French cooperation, if Washington was treated harshly.

The anti-Washington conspirators, therefore, sought to get Lafayette away by giving him command of an army to march against Canada. They invited him to a dinner to make the offer. Many toasts were given for American success.

After many expressions by cabal members of the need for strong leadership, Lafayette arose. "Gentlemen, one toast, I perceive, has been omitted, which I will now propose: 'To the commander-in-chief of the American armies.'

The coldness with which the cabal members responded was acknowledgment their schemes were unattainable.

 Conway tendered his resignation to Congress, but was surprised when it was accepted. Gates wrote a letter of apology and went on to participate in the final victory at Yorktown.

 Newburgh Conspiracy

Washington had to cope with other mutinies during the war. Major uprisings had occurred in 1780 by Connecticut soldiers and in 1781 by Pennsylvania and New Jersey troops.

Historian George L. Marshall, Jr., recounts the unique last one - by Washington's own officers:

"By early 1783, active hostilities had been over for nearly two years. However, Benjamin Franklin, John Jay and John Adams were still in Paris negotiating a final treaty with Great Britain.

"Congress kept the Continental Army officers on duty at Newburgh, N.Y., as long as the British remained in northern New York."

The officers were anxious to go home, and were owed large amounts of back pay. Congress had no money. The new nation was in danger of collapse.

Restless and disillusioned officers conspired to stage a military coup and establish a dictatorship. Gen. Gates, who had been a principal in the Conway Cabal, became active in this new mutiny.

A letter outlining grievances was sent to Congress. There was much support for the officers, but no money.

Gates, at Newburgh, called a meeting to discuss the situation. Washington heard of the proposed gathering and asked permission to address the officers. Gates could not deny the request. Word spread rapidly of their former commander-in-chief's coming.

All was expectation as the meeting began. Finally Washington entered through a side door. He recalled the many battles they had fought against great odds, of the hardships they had shared, of the aims of freedom they sought.

The assembled officers were moved, but still adamant.

Washington said he wanted to read them a letter he had recently received. He reached into his pocket and brought out a letter.

He turned the letter this way and that, squinting. Finally he reached again into his pocket and brought out a pair of spectacles and adjusted them to his nose and ears.

The officers were shocked. They had never seen him thus. They realized he had grown old.

Washington apologized: "Gentlemen, you will permit me to put on my spectacles, for I have not only grown gray but almost blind in the service of my country."

The officers were in tears. Their sense of shame and near treason drove all thoughts of mutiny from their minds.

Washington slowly folded the letter - no one remembers its content -- took off his glasses and left the room. Quickly proposed and adopted were resolutions asserting the officers' loyalty and regrets of recent, intemperate actions.

Nevertheless, Congress was scared into paying some back pay for officers and men and promising pensions.

"Washington did not dwell upon the Newburgh incident," says Marshall, "but he was aware that certain members of the Congress had taken prominent roles in abetting and encouraging the discontents. He wrote Alexander Hamilton that the army was a 'dangerous instrument' to play with.'"

Author: Lindsey Williams

4-col cutline - color guard

Photo provided by JPEG Image

[ Gen. George Washington was accompanied wherever he went by his Life Guard which, therefore, participated in all major engagements. Pvt. William "Billy" Hebb took part in the battle of Cow Pens where he was wounded. He gave up his horse to Col. Robert Washington, Gen. Washington's cousin, whose horse had been shot from under him. Robert Washington then engaged in a sword fight with British Gen. Carlton and cut off the general's right-hand fingers. ]

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2 col. cutline - grave marker

Photo provided by Herman Hebb

[ A faithful member of Gen. Washington's Life Guard was Pvt. William Hebb whose grave at Roseberg, West Virginia, is reverently tended by the town and his descendents -- one of whom is his 8-g grand-daughter Lt.J.G. Jessica Crawford who flies helicopters off a carrier in the Pacific. ]

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