Hindrocket puts the prisoner abuse issue into some perspective:
Washington and his officers set a high standard in their treatment of Hessian captives at Trenton. He issued instructions that “the officers and men should be separated. I wish the former may be well treated, and that the latter may have such principles instilled in them during their confinement, that when they return, they may open the Eyes of their Countrymen.”
Few civilians understand what a lasting impact Washington had on our military, not to mention the relationship between the military and its civilian leadership. It was unique in the world at the time, and still the model for any representative government. I doubt anyone without his stature could have done the same.
Washington tolerated no profanity, and discipline in his army was swift and just. In one of my military schools, the instructor for the writing portion used correpondance between Washington and one of his generals to explain how a letter can convey its meaning in few words.
The first letter was from the general to Washington. It was quite lengthy, and explained that two soldiers had been convicted of rape. It was quite elegant in its prose, and finished with the request for Washington’s approval to execute the men.
Washington’s response, written on the letter in return, stated simply, “So do.”
The subordinate, learning from his commander’s method of writing, returned the same piece of paper in response. It said, “Done.”