American Historical Ephemera and Photography Featuring the Civil War and American Militaria Collection of Bruce B. Hermann

1 page, folio, 13 1/2 x 8 in., accomplished in manuscript, with an additional endorsement accomplished vertically across printed and secretarial text, creased, separations and losses to creases with occasional repairs verso, minor losses to printed and manuscript text, ink-burn and tiny losses to Washington's signature.

General Washington discharges Anthony Parcel, New Jersey Battalion Regiment, "having faithfully served the United States for Six years and two months and being inlisted for the War only, is hereby Discharged from the American Army." Parcel is also awarded a badge of merit.  The discharge, with additions relating to his land bounty, is dated just three days before Washington's letter to the states announcing his retirement since "the great object," independence, had been realized after seven years of war. The Treaty of Paris, officially ending the war, would be signed 3 September 1783.  Copies of discharge documents from this period are usually found in poor condition.