So it was a rough day for the General. On June 15th the Continental Congress had made him the Commander of the Army, and on July 3rd he formally took command. So after a few days of issuing mostly administrative General Orders, today he is tasked with something a little more heavy.
You see, the battle of Bunker Hill had been in June, and during the battle there was a blatant example of cowardice. Three men were brought up on charges, but just one was found guilty. All of this had happened before Washington came on the scene, but the sentencing was left for him to deal with. After reviewing the court martial information, the General agrees with the sentencing and dismisses Captain John Callender from the Continental Army. In the general order from this day, Washington speaks his thoughts on the dangers of cowardice.
“It is with inexpressible Concern that the General upon his first Arrival in the army, should find an Officer sentenced by a General Court Martial to be cashier’d for Cowardice—A Crime of all others, the most infamous in a Soldier, the most injurious to an Army, and the last to be forgiven; inasmuch as it may, and often does happen, that the Cowardice of a single Officer may prove the Distruction of the whole Army:“
So while Captain Callender was dismissed, John Callender was not done with the army. The general’s order had some interesting wording…..
“Capt. John Callender is accordingly cashiered and dismissd from all farther service in the Continental Army as an Officer.“
“….as an Officer.” That small phrase made all the difference. You see, while John could not be an officer, he was able to rejoin the Continental Army as an enlisted man. He rejoins a volunteer artillery company, and while this is out of our timeline, he does show heroism during the battle of Long Island. In March of 1776, his unit is under attack and some even start to break under the assault. Callender assumes command and by the “force of his example” rallies the men. While they are still overtaken, his bravery catches the attention of a British officer who spares his life, and takes him as a prisoner of war. The story of his bravery was relayed to Washington, who upon hearing was moved to strike the court martial from the record, reinstate his rank and arrange for his release. I was so surprised by this outcome and I just couldn’t wrap my mind around “why”? Why did he run during the battle of Bunker Hill but acted so bravely at Long Island? I tried looking for something written or spoken by him to see what his motivation was, but I unfortunately didn’t find anything.
What it did remind me of is something I’ve come to believe is very important for my life…. It’s not how you start, but how you finish. He didn’t start off very well, but he certainly turned it around. Captain Callender seemed to make the choice to humble himself by signing up as a lowly private, and didn’t even try to hide his unsavory story. He just mustered his courage and served his country and in these days it gives me hope. Hope that if he can, so can I.
https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-01-02-0040
Cheryl Mendoza 