army, which remained at Newburgh on guard duty, after the removal of the main body to West Point in June, were participants here in the closing scenes of the disbandment, when, on the morning of November 3, 1783, “the proclamation of Congress and the farewell orders of Washington were read, and the last word of command given.”  From Monell’s “Handbook of Washington’s Headquarters” we also quote a general description of the house and its appearance when occupied by the commander-in-chief.  “Washington’s family consisted of himself, his wife, and his aid-de-camp, Major Tench Tilghman.  The large room, which is entered from the piazza on the east, known as ’the room with seven doors and one window,’ was used as the dining and sitting-room.  The northeast room was Washington’s bedroom and the one adjoining it on the left was occupied by him as a private office.  The family room was that in the southeast; the kitchen was the southwest room; the parlor the northwest room.  Between the latter and the former was the hall and staircase and the storeroom, so called for having been used by Colonel Hasbrouck and subsequently by his widow as a store.  The parlor was mainly reserved for Mrs. Washington and her guests.  A Mrs. Hamilton, whose name frequently appears in Washington’s account book, was his housekeeper, and in the early part of the war made a reputation for her zeal in his service, which Thacher makes note of and Washington acknowledges in his reference to an exchange of salt.  There was little room for the accommodation of guests, but it is presumed that the chambers were reserved for that purpose.  Washington’s guests, however, were mainly connected with the army and had quarters elsewhere.  Even Lafayette had rooms at DeGrove’s Hotel when a visitor at headquarters.

“The building is now substantially in the condition it was during Washington’s occupation of it.  The same massive timbers span the ceiling; the old fire-place with its wide-open chimney is ready for the huge back-logs of yore; the seven doors are in their places; the rays of the morning sun still stream through the one window; no alteration in form has been made in the old piazza—­the adornments on the walls, if such the ancient hostess had, have alone been changed for souvenirs of the heroes of the nation’s independence.  In presence of these surroundings, it requires but little effort of the imagination to restore the departed guests.  Forgetting not that this was Washington’s private residence, rather than a place for the transaction of public business, we may, in the old sitting-room respread the long oaken table, listen to the blessing invoked on the morning meal, hear the cracking of joints, and the mingled hum of conversation.  The meal dispensed, Mrs. Washington retires to appear at her flower beds or in her parlor to receive her morning calls.  Colfax, the captain of the life-guard, enters to receive the orders of the day—­perhaps a horse and guard for Washington to visit New Windsor, or a barge for Fishkill or West Point, is required; or it may be Washington remains at home and at his writing desk conducts his correspondence, or dictates orders for army movements.  The old arm-chair, sitting in the corner yonder, is still ready for its former occupant.