On This Day: Washington writes ‘the weight of command grows heavier by the hour’

The following is an installment of “On This Day,” a 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. 23, 1776

Gen. George Washington writes a letter to Col. Joseph Reed laying bare his despair. Washington laments that he finds few men he can trust and that constant correspondence with both generals in the field and Congress is overwhelming.

Despite Washington’s faith in Reed, the colonel was initially considered a polarizing figure. Much of that was due to his closeness with Washington, as well as Reed’s conflict with Benedict Arnold during the war. Reed never trusted Arnold. It would