On this day in history, December 4, 1783, General George Washington said:

"With a heart full oflove and gratitudeI 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."

The Revolutionary War had come to a successful end.

Washington, then-commanding general of the Continental Army, rallied his military officers at Fraunces Tavern in New York City, according to History.com.

There, he informed his troops that he would be stepping down from his commission to return to civilian life.

The account continues: "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, the closest officer to Washington, walked up to the General and the two hugged and kissed with tears running down their faces." 

"In the same affectionate manner every officer in the room marched up and parted with the 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 embraced about 30 of his soldiers one by one — and then left for Annapolis, Maryland.

The general officially resigned his commission on Dec. 23 in front of the Continental Congress, delivering an emotional address.

He remarked that "having now finished the work assigned me, I retire from the great theatre of action, and bidding an affectionate farewell to this august body, under whose orders I have so long acted, I here offer my commission, and take my leave of all the employments of public life."

Washington then returned to Mount Vernon, Virginia, with the expectation of retiring as a gentleman farmer.

But in 1789, Washington was persuaded back into politics — and was elected as America’s first-ever commander-in-chief.

He would remain president until 1797.

From: https://armedforces.press/2022/12/04/on-this-day-in-history-dec-4-1783-washington-bids-farewell-to-his-troops-at-fraunces-tavern-in-nyc/