George Washington's General Order Granting Saint Patrick's Day as a Holiday
3/16/1780
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The original caption of this document reads: "George Washington's General Order of March 16, 1780, granting Saint Patrick's Day as a holiday to the troops."
Transcript
246 Head Quarters Morris Town March 16th 1780Parole Yawn. CSigns Zany. Zaffer
For the Day Tomorrow [bracket] Brigadr. Gl. Clinton
[bracket] Major Edwards
[bracket] B. Major Brice
The General congratulates the Army on the very Interest
-ing Proceedings of the Parliament of Ireland and of the
Inhabitants of that Country which have been lately
communicated; not only as they appear calculated to
remove those heavy and tyrannical oppressions on
their Trade but to restore to a Brave and generous
People their antient Rights and Freedom and by their
operations to promote the Cause of America
Desirous
[page 2]
247
Desirous of impressing on the minds of the Army
Transactions so important in their Nature the
General directs that all Fatigue and working par-
ties cease for tomorrow the 17th a Day held in
particular regard by the people of that Nation.
At the same time that he orders this as a mark of
the pleasure he feels on the occasion, he persuades
himself that the celebration of the Day will not
be attended with the least rioting or disorder.
The Officers to be at their Quarters in Camp &
the Troops of each State line are to keep within their
own Encampment.
This primary source comes from the War Department Collection of Revolutionary War Records.
National Archives Identifier: 300356
Full Citation: George Washington's General Order of March 16, 1780, granting Saint Patrick's Day as a holiday to the troops; 3/16/1780; Numbered Record Books, 1894 - 1913; War Department Collection of Revolutionary War Records, Record Group 93; National Archives Building, Washington, DC. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/washingtons-saint-patricks-day-holiday, March 28, 2025]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.
