Celebrating George's birthday, or Abe's, or that new-car smell

So here it is: Presidents Day, a messy patchwork of a holiday if ever there was one.

For openers, Presidents Day isn't designed to celebrate all of our presidents, as its name would suggest, but rather two of them: George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, who were born in February. Lincoln was tossed into the mix when Presidents Day replaced Washington's Birthday as an official holiday, but celebrating either of their birthdays on the third Monday of the month is a contrivance. Lincoln was born on Feb. 12 and Washington was born on Feb. 22, so honoring  them today is like commemorating the Fourth of July on whatever day makes for a long weekend.

Still, for better or for worse, today's the day to salute Washington (and buy a car). One way to do the former is to recall his tenure as commander in chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution. It was such an eventful period in Washington's life that there's no shortage of anecdotes about his military career. Here's one of my favorites.

As the war came to an end, Washington invited his officers to Fraunces Tavern in New York on Dec. 4, 1783, so he could say goodbye. What follows is an account of that event written in 1830 by Col. Benjamin Tallmadge, who was on hand for the emotional parting.

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The time now drew near when General Washington intended to leave this part of the country for his beloved retreat at Mt. Vernon. On Tuesday the 4th of December it was made known to the officers then in New York that General Washington intended to commence his journey on that day. 

At 12 o'clock the officers repaired to Fraunces Tavern in Pearl Street where General Washington had appointed to meet them and to take his final leave of them. We had been assembled but a few moments when his Excellency entered the room. His emotions were too strong to be concealed which seemed to be reciprocated by every officer present. 

After partaking of a slight refreshment in almost breathless silence the General filled his glass with wine and turning to the officers said, "With a heart full of love and gratitude I now take leave of you. I most devoutly wish that your latter days may be as prosperous and happy as your former ones have been glorious and honorable."

After the officers had taken a glass of wine General Washington said, "I cannot come to each of you but shall feel obliged if each of you will come and take me by the hand."

General Knox being nearest to him turned to the Commander-in-chief who, suffused in tears, was incapable of utterance but grasped his hand when they embraced each other in silence. In the same affectionate manner every officer in the room marched up and parted with his general in chief. Such a scene of sorrow and weeping I had never before witnessed and fondly hope I may never be called to witness again.

Washington's Farewell to his Officers, by Alonzo Chappel