“The General is sorry to be informed that the foolish, and wicked practice of profane cursing and swearing (a vice heretofore little-known in an American Army) is growing into fashion; he hopes the officers will, by example, as well as influence, endeavor to check it, and that both they, and the men will reflect, that we can have little hopes of the blessing of Heaven on our Arms, if we insult it by our impiety, and folly; added to this, it is a vice so mean and low, without any temptation, that every man of sense, and character, detests and despises it.”
—George Washington, General Orders, August 3, 1776
Where’s George when you need him?
