George Washington Papers

To George Washington from Tobias Fernald, 22 December 1782

Camp near New Winsor 22d December 1782

My Dear General

Language however copious is not capable of expressing the unhappiness which I experience in being driven to the necessity of making the request to your Excellency which I am now on the point of introducing, and I hope your Excellency will pardon me for the freedom of language with which I address you, and should it appear to have the least tincture of dessimulation, let me begg leave to assure your Excellency that it is not the case; but actually flowing from honest principles and a gratefull heart.

I owe a tribute of gratitude to your Excellency as well for my self as those who were my constituents when I was first appointed an Officer by their suffrages—and altho’ I am sensible from the knowledge I have of you that you do not require it (especially in this way) yet as I expect it is the last opportunity I shall ever enjoy of expressing my gratitude to your Excellency which is due to your character I hope your Excellency will bear with me.

I have ever looked up to your Excellency as the common Parent and Savior of your Country and having served in the Army eight Campaigns under your Excellency’s command am witness to many vicissitudes which you have experienced in the unavoidable difficulties you have had to encounter which has given me a faint idea of the Mountain weight of care under which your Excellency has been labouring and am likewise a witness to the Magnanimity lenity Humanity and Justice which has pervaded the whole of your Excellencys conduct and has made you the admiration of the whole Army and which would have reflected honor on the character of those Heroes Monarchs or Philosophers of Greece and Rome of boasted antiquity.

I have now the happiness of seeing your Excellency at the head of a fine Army of dissiplined Troops and upon the point of establishing the foundation of a Great and lasting Empire: and should esteem myself inexpressibly happy to follow your Excellency until the business was compleated; but bodily indisposition forbids it and nothing but absolute necessity could induce me to leave the Army while serving under so Illustrious a Commander; but having been long in service and my constitution rather delicate when first I engaged and finding it has been declining every Campaign and during the last my health has been so much impaired as to render me unfit for duty. My disorders are complicated occasioned by frequent colds and Irregular diet and I despair of repairing my health but by a regular way of living. I therefore beg leave of soliciting your Excellency for liberty of retiring on the present derangment—wishing your Excellency success and the best of Heavens blessings-- I have the honor to be with every sentiment of esteem and respect your Excellencys most obedient and very humble servant

Tobias Fernald Lieut. Colo.

6th Massts Regiment

DLC: Papers of George Washington.

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