America 250: Washington's General Orders on Prayer and Ammo

A weekend read of Washington's General Orders from Cambridge on Feb. 7, 1776. He is establishing pay for the Army's chaplains at $33.50 per month and advising officers how to create and distribute ammo. Washington also mentions Connecticut chaplain Abiel Leonard, who volunteered in 1775 to serve as one of a handful of chaplains before the army was even established as the Continental Army. Leonard was one of the first-ever chaplains to serve in the Army Corps of Chaplains, whcih was established in July 1775 and still exists today, boasting some 3,000 chaplains. Washington thought chaplains important to the morale and moral character of the troops, as well as in bolstering them for courage in the fight instead of desertion. Washington appreciated Leonard so much he once wrote to his home church asking if they could spare him for the Army some time longer and Gen. Israel Putnam (of Bunker Hill fame) petitioned Congress for backpay for his service in 1775. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices