Gen. George Washington, also known as Carl Closs
After 225 years, America’s first hero and general will return to celebrate the victory his forces won at Monmouth Battlefield on June 28, 1778.
Gen. George Washington, who is also known as Carl Closs, an educator, soldier and business executive, will participate in the celebration and 225th anniversary parade which will take place in Englishtown, Manalapan, Freehold Township and Freehold Borough on June 27.
"I’ve been intrigued with this period ever since I was 12 years old when we went on a family vacation to Williamsburg," said Closs. "I am still learning about George Washington. I am fortunate to have made acquaintance over the years with Washington scholars and they made me aware that I was ready to take [on] the role."
Closs, who portrays Washington, said he studied 18th century American history and although he admired several of the nation’s founders, he said none of them could hold a candle to Washington.
"The more I studied this amazing man and his relationship with everyone around him, the more I became convinced that they were correct in their assessment of him," Closs said, referring to Washington. "He was ‘the Indispensable Man.’ He was everything the ideal leader of the nation should be."
When asked about the British and why a revolution was necessary, Washington replied, "I had no animosity toward the British. I was convinced long before the revolution that separation was inevitable for a variety of reasons.
"Here are just a few," he said. "Economic — the British mercantile system was a one-sided deal in their favor. We were forbidden to produce certain products ourselves or to trade elsewhere for it without using British shipping and paying out the nose for it.
"Social — Colonials were less than equal simply because they weren’t born and reared in British civil society. Career Opportunities — Colonials were always treated as inferiors and not afforded the job opportunities or status.
"As the colonel of the Virginia militia during the French and Indian War, colonel was the highest rank a Colonial could ever achieve. I was outranked by any captain in the British Regulars," he said.
Turning to the battlefield, Washington said, when asked his opinion about the British soldiers, their training, equipment, uniforms and weapons, "It was largely believed, myself included, that Britain had the best trained, disciplined and equipped Army and Navy in the world."
In an effort to make a comparison to the American counterparts, Washington said it depended on what period during the war one is talking about.
"However, I believed [as I said on Aug. 20, 1776] that the final outcome was never in doubt, because we would show our enemies, and the whole world, that free men contending on their own land, are superior to any mercenaries on earth," he said.
Washington also commented about some famous women of the period.
Although some think the story of Molly Pitcher was just a tale, Washington said he did have the opportunity to meet with her.
"Yes, I met with Molly Pitcher a couple of days after the battle," he said. "I had Gen. Greene locate her on the battlefield where she was still tending to wounded and dying soldiers.
"I had the Army assemble in formation for a grand review while Mrs. Hayes (Molly Pitcher) rode in the position of honor on a horse beside me. Following that, hats were passed among the men to donate toward her financial needs as her husband, an artillery man, was mortally wounded during the battle."
Finally, Washington made mention of his lovely wife, Martha.
Closs is married to Norma, who recently left her position as the vice president of a bank to take on the role of Martha Washington.
Washington will be in Englishtown, Manalapan, Freehold Township and Freehold Borough on June 27 as he will lead the parade marking the 225th anniversary of the Battle of Monmouth. The parade route will take participants up Route 522, "The Battle of Monmouth Road," from Englishtown to Freehold Borough.
— Dave Benjamin