The Revolutionary War

George lived a very enjoyable life at River Farm. He was tutored at home, like most children whose families were "well off", and in his spare-time he would play with his brothers and ride horses. Unfortunately, George's happy and go-lucky life would hit its first, "bump in the road". At age eleven, George's father passed away. His estate was divided up between the eldest members of the family. Ferry Farm was left to Mary Washington, to be given to George when she died. Epsewasson went to his half brother Lawrence; Wakefield; was left to his other half brother, Augustine. After the death of his father George went to live at the Wakefield plantation with his brother in order to get formally schooled at Henry William's School. He was schooled there until he was fifteen; at that point George was excellent in math and had very good penmanship. He was more than qualified to be a practical surveyor, which was his first career, but George wanted something more in his life. His mother thought about sending him into the navy, to be a marine officer, but she quickly dismissed the idea because it was too dangerous, this is pretty ironic considering his later exploits in the Revolutionary War. After his formal schooling George went to live with his other half-brother Lawrence at Epsewasson, which was renamed Mount Vernon after Lawrence obtained the estate.

Here at Mount Vernon, a very important circle of friends engulfed George; this is where George got his first lucky break. One of which was Lord Fairfax, a cousin of Lawrence's wife and owner of more then five million acres of land. He had grown to like George very much and had George survey his land beyond the Blue Ridge Mountains. This was a very dangerous job, but George enjoyed the work, and it took a little more than a year to complete. This single job led to George's first break into public office, he became the official Surveyor of Culpeper County. Since his pay was good, he was able to afford the fine clothes, and obviously the job required him to be outside, this allowed him to have exactly what he wanted in life. He was very pleased with his life for the next three years, at that point he was assigned the position of Major in the Virginia Militia, and he was sent across the Appalachian Mountains.

He was told to deliver a note to French Commander Fort Le Boeuf that protested the building of French forts. Washington wrote told this story about his exploits: "We fell in with a party of French Indians, which had laid in wait for us, one of them fired at Mr. Gist or me, not 15 steps, but fortunately missed. We took this fellow into custody and kept him 'till about 9 o'clock at night, and then let him go, and walked all the remaining part of the night without making any stop; that we might get to stop; that we might get the start, so far as to be out of the reach of their pursuit next day, as we were well assur'd they wou'd follow upon our tract as soon as it was light." (20 Alden) Major Washington returned ten weeks later with a full report on French activities. George Washington's life was in danger one other time during his trip, now that may not be considered good luck, but in actuality it helped him get a promotion up to lieutenant colonel. Washington did, however, improve as an army leader, and even was promoted to colonel. By the time the French and Indian War was over, Washington was an experienced Army leader.

The one point that I have to make is that Washington would never have gotten this experience if he hadn't been in the right spot at the right time. Anyone could have gotten this experience if they had the same "ins" that Washington had. At this point Washington is in his early twenties, and is already a high ranking official in the Virginian Militia. Although this was not on account of always making the correct decision as this passage proves: "The colonists' position was hopeless; with little food or ammunition left, they were outnumbered and trapped. Washington was compelled to give in. The French allowed him to march out under arms and to take his force back to Virginia, except for two officer hostages. One of these was Van Braam, who, still acting as interpreter, translated the instrument of surrender that the French required him to sign. It was a bitter defeat for the young officer. Some thought he had shown poor judgment." (Cunliff 37) Washington was basically learning by fire, he had no prior army experience, but I think it is safe to say that anyone with the same education and opportunities could learn just as well as he did. Washington took a very long time to start winning consistently as a commander, towards the end of the Revolutionary War. Washington's less than stellar record as an army leader hasn't been covered up, but it also has not been made common knowledge either. That is another reason that Washington is portrayed as almost "God-like". During a brief stay at Fort Necessity Washington had another brief "stroke of luck". He left his journal behind at the fort, and the enemy army eventually found it. "Indeed, Washington became for a brief period a figure of notoriety when the French published his personal journal, which by accident was left behind at For Necessity.

They used it for propaganda purposes, so as to prove that the British were the aggressors in these frontier clashes. Jumonvilled, they maintained, had come on a peaceful errand much like Washington's mission a few months earlier, only to be "assassinated." Since Van Braam had failed to notice the ugly word in the surrender document, where it occurred more than once, the French contended that Washington had signed an admission of his own guilt. Yet though the French spoke of him as an arch villain, and even featured him as such in a long epic poem composed for the occasion, this was all the more reason for British fellow countrymen to defend him (Cunliff 38) This is such a lucky break it amazes me. A man left his private journal behind only to be found by the enemy, and then it is published. After the enemy uses it as a weapon against Britain, Britain turns around and praises Washington for his efforts! This is certainly starting to sound like fate.

Although it sounds like Washington was living a charmed life, it definitely stopped after the war, or at least stalled a little. Washington basically faded into oblivion for a while after his stint in the militia, but he without a doubt wanted to find his way back into it. He even resorted to writing a letter to the newly appointed Commander in Chief of North America, Lord Loudoun. "Altho' I had not the honor to be known to your Lordship, your Lordship's name was familiar to my ear, on account of the important services performed to his Majesty in other parts of the world. Do not think, my Lord, that I am going to flatter; notwithstanding I have exalted sentiments of your Lordship's character and respect your rank, it is not my intention to adulate. My nature is open and honest and free from guile!… With regard to myself, I cannot forbear adding, that had his Excellency General Braddock survived his unfortunate defeat, I should have met with preferment agreeable to my wishes. I had his promise to that purpose, and I believe that gentleman was too sincere and generous to make unmeaning offers."