The Boston Commercial Gazette reported that on October 14, “ was conducted to the TENT OF WASHINGTON! He was conducted to this sacred relic of departed greatness by Governor Stevens and suite, and within which the Society of the Cincinnati were waiting to receive him. To honor his return, George Washington Parke Custis hosts Lafayette in a reception at Fort McHenry in Baltimore under one of Washington’s tents. The Marquis de Lafayette returns to the United States for a national tour. These events coincide with awards for the improvement of American sheep breeds and orations by Custis about Washington’s legacy and the future of the republic. 1806-1812īeginning in about 1806, George Washington Parke Custis holds an annual tradition of pitching Washington’s tents at Arlington. He also inherits the Mount Vernon collection, including Washington’s marquee. George Washington Parke Custis, Martha Washington’s grandson through her first husband, Daniel Parke Custis, inherits Arlington plantation overlooking the Potomac River and builds Arlington House. 1799-1802Īccording to the terms of Washington’s will, the tents remain at Mount Vernon until Martha Washington’s death in 1802. The marquee tent, the rest of his camp equipage, and his military papers, which he carefully preserved, come back to Mount Vernon with him. Washington returns his military commission to Congress and returns to Mount Vernon. I had seen all the camps in England, from many of which, drawings and engravings have been taken but this was truly a subject worthy of the pencil of the first artist.” December 1783 October 1782Ī French officer visiting the Continental Army encampment at Verplanck’s Point, New York, notes that “Opposite the Camp, and on distinct eminences, stood the tents of some of the general officers, over which towered, predominant, that of General Washington. Today, you can stand on the same spot and see the inner chamber of Washington’s sleeping marquee on display at the National Park Service’s Yorktown Visitor Center. Washington and his headquarters complex arrive at Yorktown, Virginia, where it is depicted on American artillery officer Sebastian Bauman’s map of the siege. In this time, Washington returns to his home in Virginia, Mount Vernon, only once. Washington’s field headquarters travels everywhere he does for four more years of war. June 1778Ĭolonel James Abeel writes to report the status of Washington’s order for the new campaign tents: ".His Excellencys Marque is all done to binding & fixing the Hooks & Eyes this is made by Women." 1778-1781 Together, these tents form Washington’s field headquarters. The larger one, Washington’s dining marquee, serves as a meeting and dining area for Washington’s aides and guests. The smaller one, Washington’s sleeping marquee, includes an inner chamber that insulates and divides it into sleeping, office, and baggage quarters. January 1778ĭuring the Valley Forge encampment, artisans in Reading, Pennsylvania, begin construction on a pair of new marquees for Washington. After two hard campaigns against British forces in 17, Washington’s set of campaign tents are apparently worn beyond repair. The Continental Army marches into Valley Forge for winter quarters on December 19, 1777. Washington writes to his brother John Augustine Washington from camp at Middlebrook, New Jersey, on June 29 that in response to British forces under General William Howe in the area, “I began to collect mine at this place (a strong piece of ground) ten Miles distant from him, where I have now been in my Tent about 5 Weeks.” December 1777 General George Weedon writes to a friend that “His excellency our good Old General, has also spread his Tent, and lives amongst us…” June 1777 December 1776īreaking from normal practice, the Continental Army remains in the field well into the winter, until January 1777. According to the surviving receipt for this order, Fleeson makes two “marquees,” one tent for dining and one tent for sleeping, as well as a baggage tent. Reed when he left Cambridge in the Fall to get me a Sett of Camp Equipage-Tents-and a Baggage Waggon made at Philadelphia under his own Inspection and sent to me.” May 1776Ĭolonel Reed purchases a set of campaign tents for Washington from Philadelphia upholsterer Plunkett Fleeson. Washington writes to Congress that “I desired Colo. Washington writes to Reed that “I cannot take the field without equipage, and after I have once got into a tent, I shall not soon quit it.” April 1776 General George Washington sends his aide, Colonel Joseph Reed, to Philadelphia to meet with Congress, carry his dispatches, and help Washington prepare to take the field in the coming year.
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