Show GUARD FOR GEN washington soldiers so honored chose for motto conquer or die dy general order 11 dated at valley forge march 17 1778 mci were selected from the army to be annexed to the guard c the chief the guard then existing num 80 virginians and for that rea son it was ordered that the new mem beis be taken from the troops of other states it was further prescribed thit the men must be americans bon 20 to 30 years alve feet eight to five feet ten of robust constitution well limbed and men of established characters for sobriety and fidelity the official designation 0 this force was the commander in chiefs guard but it was commonly known as tho alto guard and washington a body auard its first commandant common dant was capt caleb gabbs ot rhode island he was in turn succeeded by william colfax of new jersey who had been made lieu tenant of the corps hen it was first brought into being the motto 0 tho life guard waa conquer or die capt colfax eventually attained the lank of general ills grandson was schuyler col fax |