Order Communicated by Secretary of War James McHenry Announcing the Death of George Washington

The President with deep regret announces to the Army the death of its beloved chief, General George Washington. Sharing in the grief which every heart must feel for so heavy and afflicting a public loss, and desirous to express his high sense of the vast debt of gratitude which is due to the virtues, talents, and ever-memorable services of the illustrious deceased, he directs that funeral honors be paid to him at all the military stations, and that the officers of the Army and of the several corps of volunteers wear crape on the left arm by way of mourning for six months. Major-General Hamilton will give the necessary orders for carrying into effect the foregoing directions.

Given at the War Office of the United States, in Philadelphia, this 19th day of December, A. D. 1799, and in the twenty-fourth year of the Independence of the said States.

By command of the President:

JAMES M'HENRY
Secretary of War.