Oberlin Website was cited: http://members.iquest.net/~sdo/history.htm Several published accounts indicate that these Oberlin brothers were all over six feet tall and served as bodyguards to General Washington. Analysis of the Pennsylvania Archives and war records do not support this assertion. These records are historically accurate, and also all the General's guards were, by directive, not over five feet ten inches tall. George didn't want to appear smaller than his men. It's also well documented that General Washington thought militiamen to be undisciplined, and although excellent fighters, not necessarily good soldiers. The Oberlins were possibly assigned to his service when he was in Lancaster, as part of their militia duties. Captain Henry Schaeffer (Schaefferstown) was reputed as "close" to George Washington. It may have been through Henry that the Oberlins were connected to the general.

This quote is from someone who didn't cite his sources. He also interjected his own interpretation with regard to the height issue ...which interpretation is totally lacking any documentary support. Washington's military assessment of militiamen, perhaps especially the frontier version, are well documented...and considered militarily correct. The Washington Papers are on line at the Library of Congress site. ~malinda Farns10th@aol.com wrote: > Oberlin Website was cited: > > http://members.iquest.net/~sdo/history.htm > > Several published accounts indicate that these Oberlin brothers were all over > six feet tall and served as bodyguards to General Washington. Analysis of the > Pennsylvania Archives and war records do not support this assertion. These > records are historically accurate, and also all the General's guards were, by > directive, not over five feet ten inches tall. George didn't want to appear > smaller than his men. It's also well documented that General Washington > thought militiamen to be undisciplined, and although excellent fighters, not > necessarily good soldiers. The Oberlins were possibly assigned to his service > when he was in Lancaster, as part of their militia duties. Captain Henry > Schaeffer (Schaefferstown) was reputed as "close" to George Washington. It > may have been through Henry that the Oberlins were connected to the general.

To all, I appreciate all the discussion of Washington's life guard. My ancestor, Peter Rogers was a member of the guard. He was at Valley Forge during the winter of 77-78, and fought at Monmouth. He joined the Life Guard immediately after Monmouth from the 4th CT line. It has been handed down to me that he was General Washington's chaplain from June 1778 to May 1779. Any ideas on how I might substantiate this claim? Steve Stephen Rogers von Hitritz Richmond, VA ----- Original Message ----- From: "malinda" <mthiesse@swbell.net> To: <AMERICAN-REVOLUTION-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, November 29, 2001 3:57 PM Subject: Re: [A-REV] Washington Guards > This quote is from someone who didn't cite his sources. He also interjected his > own > interpretation with regard to the height issue ...which interpretation is totally > lacking > any documentary support. > > Washington's military assessment of militiamen, perhaps especially the frontier > version, are well documented...and considered militarily correct. The Washington > Papers are on line at the Library of Congress site. > > ~malinda > > Farns10th@aol.com wrote: > > > Oberlin Website was cited: > > > > http://members.iquest.net/~sdo/history.htm > > > > Several published accounts indicate that these Oberlin brothers were all over > > six feet tall and served as bodyguards to General Washington. Analysis of the > > Pennsylvania Archives and war records do not support this assertion. These > > records are historically accurate, and also all the General's guards were, by > > directive, not over five feet ten inches tall. George didn't want to appear > > smaller than his men. It's also well documented that General Washington > > thought militiamen to be undisciplined, and although excellent fighters, not > > necessarily good soldiers. The Oberlins were possibly assigned to his service > > when he was in Lancaster, as part of their militia duties. Captain Henry > > Schaeffer (Schaefferstown) was reputed as "close" to George Washington. It > > may have been through Henry that the Oberlins were connected to the general. > > > ==== AMERICAN-REVOLUTION Mailing List ==== > > > > ============================== > Visit Ancestry.com for a FREE 14-Day Trial and enjoy access to the #1 > Source for Family History Online. Go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=702&sourceid=1237 >