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1781: Washington, with the help of the French, successfully defeats the British at Yorktown, the last major battle of the war. A few days later, Washington's stepson, John Parke Custis (age 27), dies of camp fever.
One of Washington's officers urges him to take over as king of the new country. He refuses to consider the plan. Later, at Newburgh, New York, he quietly, but forcefully, convinces his officers not to rebel against the civilian government. |