Upper Merion Township near King of Prussia in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Commander in Chief’s Guards

An Elite Security Force

— Valley Forge National Historical Park —

Commander in Chief’s Guards Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, March 20, 2010

1. Commander in Chief’s Guards Marker

Inscription. Always present, Washington’s guard occupied huts here. This special detachment was created to protect the Commander in Chief, his official family, and his equipment, supplies, and papers. Washington required that each life guard, as they called themselves, be a native born American. It was assumed such men would be loyal, as they had a vested interest in the success of the war. Today this tradition continues in the form of the Third United States Infantry, a unit that stands guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington.

< Sidebar: > In General Orders issued from Headquarters in Cambridge on March 11, 1776 Washington stated he wanted men “for their sobriety, honesty, and good behaviour; he wishes them to be from five feet, eight inches high, to five feet, ten inches; handsomely and well made, and as there is nothing in his eyes more desirable, than Clealiness in a Soldier, he desires that particular attention may be made, in the choice of such men, as are neat, and spruce.”

Erected by Valley Forge National Historical Park.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1873.

Location. 40° 6.105′ N, 75° 27.584′ W. Marker is near

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King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, in Montgomery County. It is in Upper Merion Township. It is on Valley Forge Road (Pennsylvania Route 23), on the left when traveling east. Marker is on the tour road in Valley Forge National Historical Park at stop 5, Washington’s Headquarters. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: King of Prussia PA 19406, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania and in Greater Philadelphia.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Remembering Valley Forge (within shouting distance of this marker); Headquarters Complex (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); American Icon (about 400 feet away); North of the River (about 400 feet away); Did You Know? (about 400 feet away); Why Valley Forge? (about 400 feet away); Washington’s Headquarters (about 400 feet away); War Comes to Valley Forge (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in King of Prussia.

Another marker is no longer nearby. The Village of Valley Forge (was about 300 feet away but has been permanently removed).

More about this marker. The background of the marker features a picture of three members of Washington’s life guards in front of the soldier huts. The bottom left of the marker contains a picture of “The Banner of the Guard. Copyright Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22 A, F, & A. M. Photography by Arthur W. Pierson.” It has a caption of “When Baron

Marker in Valley Forge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, March 20, 2010

2. Marker in Valley Forge

de Steuben arrived in February 1778, the 47 privates in the Guard were all Virginians. At Steuben’s request 100 additional soldiers from states other than Virginia were annexed to the guard. Under Steuben’s instruction these soldiers would serve as a model company for drilling the entire army.”

Also see . . . Valley Forge National Historical Park. National Park Service website. (Submitted on March 21, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, March 20, 2010

3. Commander in Chief’s Guards Marker

Life Guard Encampment image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, March 20, 2010

4. Life Guard Encampment

The marker can be seen to the left of the huts in the photo.

Life Guards Huts image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, March 20, 2010

5. Life Guards Huts

Washington's Life Guard occupied huts at this site near Washington's Headquarters at the Potts House during the 1777-78 winter encampment.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, September 16, 2025

6. Commander in Chief’s Guards Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 21, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 2,466 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 21, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 6. submitted on January 31, 2026, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.