Garland Lane - A Washington Life Guard
November 1st, 2010
During the Revolutionary War, General George Washington recognized there was a strong possibility of a raid on his headquarters by British troops and their sympathizers, the Tories. General Washington decided to form a personal guard and on March 11, 1776, he issued orders outlining the procedures for the selection of the men that were to guard him.
Each regiment in the Continental Army was ordered to furnish men. The order stated, “His Excellency depends upon the Colonels for good men, such as they can recommend for their sobriety, honest and good behavior. He wishes them to be from five feet eight inches to five feet ten inches, handsomely and well made, and as there is nothing in his eyes more desirable than cleanliness in a soldier, he desires that particular attention be made in the choice of such men as clean and spruce. The General neither wants them with uniforms nor arms, nor does he desire any man to be sent to him that is not perfectly willing or desirous of being in this Guard. They should be drilled men.”
They were the Commander-in-Chief’s Guard, officially designated “His Excellency’s Guard” or “The General’s Guard.” Most often they were called “The Life Guards” or “Washington’s Guards” by soldiers. General Washington called them “My Guards.” The unit performed the duties of and served as the predecessor to today’s Secret Service.
Members of the Life Guards wore traditional hunting shirts and tri-corn hats, however they preferred special helmets that were made from leather with a bear skin crest. Their formal uniforms were blue and buff with a red waistcoat. The waistcoats became symbolic of the Life Guards. They also wore a white plume, tipped in blue on the left side of their hats. The unique headgear was to add a distinctive appearance to the Guard. They were the first to stamp the letters USA on the buttons of their uniforms.
The Life Guards moved with the army, protecting Washington and the headquarters staff, along with the army’s records. One incident where the Life Guards took action involved the passing of counterfeit money by men within the Life Guards unit. They were also rumored to be involved in a plot to kidnap and assassinate Washington. The plot was uncovered by other Life Guards and the alleged conspirators were arrested. Their organizer was court-martialed, found guilty of mutiny and sedition, and publicly hanged.
One of the soldiers chosen for the distinguished honor of membership in the Life Guards was a Revolutionary War soldier named Garland Lane. Mr. Lane is documented as one of the original residents of Wofford’s Settlement, an Indian frontier fort that was located in what is now northern Banks County.
Garland Lane was buried in a family cemetery located in Banks County. Recently his gravesite was recognized with a grave-marking ceremony that honored his service as one of Washington’s Life Guards.
During the Revolutionary War, General George Washington recognized there was a strong possibility of a raid on his headquarters by British troops and their sympathizers, the Tories. General Washington decided to form a personal guard and on March 11, 1776, he issued orders outlining the procedures for the selection of the men that were to guard him.
Each regiment in the Continental Army was ordered to furnish men. The order stated, “His Excellency depends upon the Colonels for good men, such as they can recommend for their sobriety, honest and good behavior. He wishes them to be from five feet eight inches to five feet ten inches, handsomely and well made, and as there is nothing in his eyes more desirable than cleanliness in a soldier, he desires that particular attention be made in the choice of such men as clean and spruce. The General neither wants them with uniforms nor arms, nor does he desire any man to be sent to him that is not perfectly willing or desirous of being in this Guard. They should be drilled men.”
They were the Commander-in-Chief’s Guard, officially designated “His Excellency’s Guard” or “The General’s Guard.” Most often they were called “The Life Guards” or “Washington’s Guards” by soldiers. General Washington called them “My Guards.” The unit performed the duties of and served as the predecessor to today’s Secret Service.
Members of the Life Guards wore traditional hunting shirts and tri-corn hats, however they preferred special helmets that were made from leather with a bear skin crest. Their formal uniforms were blue and buff with a red waistcoat. The waistcoats became symbolic of the Life Guards. They also wore a white plume, tipped in blue on the left side of their hats. The unique headgear was to add a distinctive appearance to the Guard. They were the first to stamp the letters USA on the buttons of their uniforms.
The Life Guards moved with the army, protecting Washington and the headquarters staff, along with the army’s records. One incident where the Life Guards took action involved the passing of counterfeit money by men within the Life Guards unit. They were also rumored to be involved in a plot to kidnap and assassinate Washington. The plot was uncovered by other Life Guards and the alleged conspirators were arrested. Their organizer was court-martialed, found guilty of mutiny and sedition, and publicly hanged.
One of the soldiers chosen for the distinguished honor of membership in the Life Guards was a Revolutionary War soldier named Garland Lane. Mr. Lane is documented as one of the original residents of Wofford’s Settlement, an Indian frontier fort that was located in what is now northern Banks County.
Garland Lane was buried in a family cemetery located in Banks County. Recently his gravesite was recognized with a grave-marking ceremony that honored his service as one of Washington’s Life Guards.
