Presidents Day includes Washington’s birthday on the 22nd, and I feel a need to touch on his life. His father died when he was young, and he was not afforded the chance to get as sophisticated education as his brothers. One of his last assignments was to copy rule of civility, and he sought to honor them. His skill at math allowed him entry into surveying, and he worked an expedition when he was but 16. I grew up in Southwestern Pennsylvania, but the school system there did little to emphasize local history where young Washington spent important time throughout his life.
He demonstrated courage. In 1753 21 year old George Washington was sent by the governor of Virginia on a military and diplomatic mission. It was hazardous indeed as he hacked through the wooded and marshy landscape, dealt with snow and slett in the mountains, and was nearly shot by a guide and almost drowned in an icy river near Pittsburgh.A large monument, Jumonville Cross, graces a mountain in sight of our high school. It is named for a French commander. Washington’s small detachment met with Jumonville’s force and killed him in an exchange of fire. A 22 year old George Washington started what we call the French and Indian War and initiated what Europe called the Seven Years War.
Washington had a powerful belief in what he termed Providence. In his youth, he did face death a number of times. Here in Washington’s printed journal is his description of trying to ford the half-frozen river-”but before we were Half Way over, we were jammed in the Ice in such a Manner that we expected every Moment our Raft to sink, and ourselves to perish ...the Rapidity of the Stream threw it with so much Violence against the Pole, that it jirked me out into ten Feet Water.” That night the frontiersman Christopher Gist suffered frostbite, but somehow Washington emerged unscathed.
Washington learned of defeat in his youth.After the skirmish Washington constructed an outpost, Fort Necessity.Half King, a Native American leader, called it that little thing. It was surrounded, and Washington surrendered. He learned to fight another day. In a letter to his brother he demonstrates martial virtue: “The right wing, where I stood, was exposed to and received all the enemy's fire ... I heard the bullets whistle, and, believe me, there is something charming in the sound."
Washington was a volunteer for the British Army’s General Braddock to try to take what would be Pittsburgh. The british Army did not fare well against guerilla tactics and Braddock was mortally wounded. Washington led the retreat and buried the General.In a letter to his mother he wrote: “I luckily escaped without a wound, though I had four bullets through my coat, and two horses shot under me... I was the only person then left to distribute the General's orders, which I was scarcely able to do, as I was not half recovered from a violent illness, that had confined me to my bed and a wagon for above ten days. I am still in a weak and feeble condition, which induces me to halt here two or three days in the hope of recovering a little strength, to enable me to proceed homewards”. Before he died Braddock left Washington his ceremonial sash that he wore with his battle uniform and muttered some of his last words, which were 'Who would have thought?' Reportedly, Washington never went anywhere without this sash for the rest of his life, be it as the commander of the Continental Army or with his presidential duties. It is on display today at Washington's home on the Potomac River, Mount Vernon.
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