Commander in Chief’s Guards
An Elite Security Force
Always present, Washington’s guard occupied huts here. This special detachment was created to protect the Commander in Chief, his official family, and his equipment, supplies, and papers. Washington required that each life guard, as they called themselves, be a native born American. It was assumed such men would be loyal, as they had a vested interest in the success of the war. Today this tradition continues in the form of the Third United States Infantry, a unit that stands guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington.
Sidebar: > In General Orders issued from Headquarters in Cambridge on March 11, 1776 Washington stated he wanted men “for their sobriety, honesty, and good behaviour; he wishes them to be from five feet, eight inches high, to five feet, ten inches; handsomely and well made, and as there is nothing in his eyes more desirable, than Clealiness in a Soldier, he desires that particular attention may be made, in the choice of such men, as are neat, and spruce.”
Marker is on Valley Forge Road (Pennsylvania Route 23), on the left when traveling east.
Courtesy hmdb.org
