The following is an installment of “On This Day,” a new series celebrating America’s 250th anniversary by following the actions of Gen. George Washington, the Continental Congress, and the men and women whose bravery and sacrifice led up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Jan. 15, 1776
Cambridge, Massachusetts
At his headquarters, Gen. George Washington was beset by crises on every front. Supplies were perilously low, and his frustration with Congress was growing as its members seemed unwilling to grasp the realities of the battlefield. At this moment, he turned to Joseph Reed for counsel, asking in a letter what he was doing wrong.
“I can bear to hear of imputed or real errors. The man who wishes to stand well in the opinion of others must do this; because he is thereby enabled to correct his faults, or remove prejudices which are imbibed against him.”
In the letter, Washington thanked Reed for offering an honest assessment of his military leadership, noting that Reed’s candor allowed him to recognize and correct his shortcomings.
ON THIS DAY: WASHINGTON LEARNS OF MONTGOMERY’S DEATH
A New Jersey native, Reed served as one of Washington’s aides-de-camp and rose to the rank of colonel during the Revolutionary War. He was viewed by some in Washington’s circle as a polarizing figure, in part because of his bitter conflict with Benedict Arnold. Reed ultimately accused Arnold of corruption during Arnold’s tenure as military governor of Philadelphia, an allegation that deepened Arnold’s resentment and helped set the stage for his later treason — alongside the influence of his Tory wife.
Reed later served in Congress as a Pennsylvania delegate and signed the Articles of Confederation.