Preparing for the Battle of New York in August of 1776, the odds stacked heavily against the poorly trained and lesser equipped Revolutionary Army, General George Washingon wrote to his commanding officers the following:

“The General is sorry to be informed that the foolish and wicked practice of profane cursing and swearing, a vice heretofore little known in our American army, is growing into fashion. He hopes the officers will, by example as well as influence, endeavor to check it and that both they and the men will reflect that we can have little hope of the blessing of heaven on our arms if we insult it by our impropriety and folly. Added to this, it is a vice so mean and low, without any temptation, that every man of sense and character detests and despises it.”

- General Orders, (3 Aug 1776), Fitzpatrick 5:367

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