Peter Muhlenberg, Patriot

It was 234 years ago tomorrow that Reverend Peter Muhlenberg ascended the pulpit of the Anglican Church in Woodstock, Virginia and preached a sermon based on the famous passage in Ecclesiastes which begins, "For everything there is a season."  When he reached the verse which refers to "a time for war and a time for peace," he added fiercely, "and this is the time for war"; at which point he threw off his clerical robe to reveal the uniform of a Colonel in the Continental Army.  The next day he led some 300 of his neighbors off to war.  Muhlenberg rose to the rank of Brigadier General and his brigade saw major action up to and including the Battle of Yorktown.  After the war, Muhlenberg held several political offices, including Congressional Representative, in his native state of Pennsylvania.

Peter Muhlenberg's sermon is a rather famous event for students of the Revolution.  It is alluded to in Mel Gibson's The Patriot, in which the minister leaves with the militia saying, "A shepherd must tend to his flock; and at times, fight off the wolves."  (Scene 11 "An Announcement" on the DVD)

Muhlenberg himself is honored with a statue, which stands outside the county courthouse in Woodstock.  He is depicted in the act of removing his clerical robe.  The fact is, however, that there is no historical evidence that Muhlenberg ever gave this sermon.  There are neither contemporary accounts nor reminiscences by any of his children or immediate relatives.  The first written mention of the sermon occurs in 1849 in a Muhlenberg biography written by his great nephew.  This echoes the story of George Washington chopping down the cherry tree, a tale that does not appear anywhere before Parson Weems biography of our first President, which appeared in the early 19th century.

The TV show History Detectives devoted a segment to tracking down a clerical robe that was believed to have been owned by Muhlenberg and it also delves into an excellent discussion of Muhlenberg and the famous sermon.  You may read the transcript here.  (It won't take long!)

Muhlenberg's sermon is most likely a myth, but I caution anyone, however, to say "just a myth."  Facts are facts, but myths often contain truths much greater than facts.  I accept facts; I believe in myths and I believe in Muhlenberg's message, that when the time comes to act, we must do so.  That idea is worthy of our most profound belief.

Thanks again to Melissa Dodge for another excellent photograph.

Comments

[Melissa Dodge]

Aww, to find out that this great story of Muhlenberg deferring his vestments in favor of a military uniform is just a symbolic interpretation is a bit disappointing. But I do agree with your assessment that it is the veracity of the message that we must believe in.

*Why there are 2 statues of Muhlenberg currently placed at the Woodstock courthouse may make for an interesting follow up blog...

[Austin]

Melissa, I know that his bust has been there for a while and that the full statue is new, but IS there a reason as to why both are present? Would you like to guest blog that story? At least tell me, if there really is a reason!

[Melissa Dodge]

Hopefully, I have this right--I've tried searching news archives but couldn't find the story. I believe the DAR donated the original bust of Peter Muhlenberg. When the new statue was about to go in the touchy question of what to do with the original came up. The DAR was none too happy at the prospect of having their gift cast aside. As I interpreted the media reports there was a good bit of debate and posturing and so now--we have 2 statues of Ol' Pete gracing the courthouse square.

[Nursing clothing]

They held the right flank and manned the two trenches built to move American cannons closer to Cornwallis defenses.