I'm going to tell you a story. This is a story that you should know. Now, if it's a story that you should know, why don't you know it? That is because this is one of the many stories that is covered and untold in our general society today. This testimony of George Washington's used to be in public school textbooks, that is until 1934.
The man on our dollar bill wasn't only the General of the Continental Army and our first president, he was a Colonel in the French and Indian War as well.
But, first a little history.
The French and Indian War was a territorial war fought between the English and the French. The English had many colonial troops as a part of their army (including George Washington). The French had the American Indians on their side. You see, both the country of France and the country of Great Britain were claiming most of North America as their own land. Anyone will know that this cannot be. The English had settled along the Atlantic Coast, all the way from Maine down to Florida, and a little bit westward. The French were settling more North, and around what is known today as the Great Lakes. But what of the rest of the land? As both countries were calling it their own, someone had to take it or make the first move. So, the French Governor of Canada ordered forts to be built from the Great Lakes, to the Illinois River, to the Mississippi River. Now, Americans did not like that. They had already begun settling this land (which was the Ohio Valley). They had set trading posts, developed relations with the Indians, and thoroughly claimed the land for themselves. But, the French were very bold in desiring the land for themselves. The whole point of their building the forts was to draw a border line of sorts, to keep the English restrained to the eastern seaboard. So, before the English could become really established in the Ohio Valley, the French attempted to make it their own by setting up their forts and posting many signs and inscriptions in French. This didn't come across well to the British Americans. And so, tensions rose, and a war brewed.
Up until now, the colonies didn't have much of an organized army. They did not need to. But, what they did have were small militias. George Washington was a part of the militia ever since a very young age. At 21 years old, the governor of Virginia, sent Mr. Washington on a surveying trip. His mission was to go to the French Fort le Bouef in Presque Isle, Pennsylvania to survey the land, to talk to the French General and to deliver to him a letter that was sent by Governor Dinwiddie. After 6 weeks of perilous travels over 500 miles of untouched wilderness, Washington and his small party finally made it to the French fort. They were warmly welcomed, but the French General refused to have any discussion about the current situation of England and even refused to read the letter that Governor Dinwiddie sent. Washington stayed at the Fort long enough to memorize all the preparations the French were making with their troops, weapons, and such. He observed, a hundred and seventy pine boats, a fleet of fifty birch-bark canoes, and a sizable collection of French soldiers. Washington was sent back to Virginia with a response from the French General to the Governor. By this time, Mr. Washington and his guide were determined to get home quickly, taking the shortest route possible. During his venture home with his guide, they hit extreme weather. This made their trip perilous and ten times more difficult. To top it all off, they were ambushed and attacked by a band of Indians. In attempt to escape the attack, they traveled quickly all night and all day. They were able to escape the Indians, but when they came to a large river, they were forced to build a raft in order to cross it because the water had not fully frozen. This task took almost a whole day to complete. When Mr. Washington and his guide, Christopher Gist, made it out onto the river, the raft swiftly got caught in an ice jam. Attempting to balance the raft, our first president forced his pole into the river, but the river caught the pole and swept Washington into its icy cold, dark clutches. We all know that this very well could have been the death of our Founding Father. But miraculously, he was able to rescue himself. After working diligently, both Washington and Gist could not make the raft drift towards either bank. They were able to guide it to a small island in the middle of the river where they spent a very cold, wet and miserable night. George Washington and Christopher Gist were able to make it back to Virginia safely. Now, Washington was keeping a journal of his daily adventures throughout this trip. This journal was published both in Great Britain and in New England. And George Washington grew to be a highly respected and admired man for his courageous adventures. In fact, the Continental Army rewarded him with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel Washington.
After this, Colonel Washington led a battle of his own. In this battle, his troops were attacked by a large number of French and Indians while making a road from Fort Necessity to Fort Duquesne. Washington's men were greatly outnumbered and shot at from behind trees and from places that were almost impossible relay any fire back. Colonel Washington was steadily losing men. After nine hours of bullet hail, Washington saw that he had no hope of winning or of even all of his men surviving the battle, so he made the wise decision to surrender. Although it was a horrible loss, George Washington was acclaimed and applauded for the way he fought courageously and how he put his men first by choosing to make that surrender that undoubtedly saved many lives.
After this battle, for seemingly no reason at all, the governor of Virgina totally rearranged the militia. From then on, no rank was to be given higher than Captain. This greatly surprised Colonel Washington, and he resigned. George Washington began to build himself a private life around agriculture during this time.
Now it's story time ~
Both countries now saw that war was inevitable. Although, no formal declaration of war was made, both sides began to prepare for a war.
Great Britain saw that there was no way the American militia could fight this war themselves. So, they sent famous war general, General Braddock along with two regiments of English regulars. Now, General Braddock was a renowned, highly respected and honored war general. He had over 40 years of battle experience and was trusted with the job of organizing four attacks on French Forts in the Ohio Valley. The most important, and last attack was to be led by himself. Being in Virginia, it was impossible for Braddock not to hear about the young, courageous George Washington. Braddock then decided to invite Washington to be an officer in the ambush of the Fort Duquesne. Washington accepted on the terms that he would regain the title of Colonel Washington. When Washington's mother heard about this, she immediately rushed to his home to try to convince him not to go. Being a mother, she was worried about his safety. Both George Washington and his mother, Martha Washington were humans of great faith. After hearing his mother's concerns, Washington respectfully replied, "The God to whom you commended me, madam, when I set out upon a more perilous errand, defended me from all harm, and I trust He will do so now. Do not you?" Colonel George Washington put his full trust in Divine Providence to protect him in all battles he would participate in. His mother, being the woman that she was told him, "That God may protect you through all the dangers and hardships or war and return you in safety will be my constant prayer. With His blessing you can be a useful man in war as in peace, and without it you can expect nothing." Martha Washington was always praying for her son's safety in battle. God answered those prayers and rewarded their faith in truly miraculous ways.
General Braddock's attack force consisted of many parts. First in line were 700 men who were in charge of the exasperating work of clearing a twelve foot wide road for the wagons and heavy artillery to cross. They also had to build bridges across any type of river or ravine. This made progress very, very slow. After the road clearing men were General Braddock's main force along with some horse drawn wagons carrying supplies. At the very back were the American troops and British regulars. This line of 1,300 men drew on for 4 whole miles!
Up to this point, the American Indians were more apt to joining the English in their efforts to be rid of the French. Even to the point that some Delaware and Shawnee Indians offered to join Braddock's force in their ambush. But, Braddock was a war general from England. He was completely uneducated and indifferent about the fighting tactics of the Indians. Colonel Washington who knew more about how the Indians would be very useful to them, urged General Braddock to accept their offer. But, Braddock saw no use for the Indians and thought their fighting tactics to be rather cowardly. He fully expected to see these armies fighting in traditional, European style. What he forgot was that America was a different place with a different landscape and very different people. Only because of Washington's advice and urgings did he accept their offer. But, he did so with coldness, and was actually quite rude to the Indians, instead of making them feel welcome. Thanks to this indifference, each Indian left, one by one. And their journey went on.
As they got closer to Fort Duquesne, a dreadful thing happened to Washington. He came down with a very serious fever. It got so dire that he even had to stay behind with the doctor while the rest of the band went on. The fever was so harrowing that he even came close to death. Colonel Washington improved after a few days, and even though he was still feeble and weak, he decided that he must go on. He couldn't fall too far behind. The bumping and jostling of the wagon wasn't good for his condition, but he prevailed, undoubtedly with the help of God.
Again, there were some Indians who offered their services as scouts, guides, etc. to Braddock. This time he was even more indifferent and cold than before. In fact, he bluntly refused their services. When George Washington had caught up to him [still being weak from his fever] he tried to persuade Braddock the other way, and warned him of the Indian fighting tactics. (Which became known as guerrilla warfare) General Braddock even received warnings from Benjamin Franklin as well. But he would not listen to anyone who warned him of their capability. He exclaimed, "The Indians may frighten continental troops, but they can make no impression on the King's regulars!"
Braddock's attitude completely turned off the Indians to give any assistance, at all to him. In fact, they were so offended that they went to the French, and offered their services to them.The French were quite a bit nicer, and they gladly accepted the Indian's offer. Of course, now, they knew for sure that Braddock was coming. But, why wait? Why not use their guerrilla warfare tactics against the British/American Army? And so, 855 French and Indians set out to ambush the 1,300 Englishmen. (72 French regulars, 637 Indians, and 146 Canadian militiamen) It was one o'clock in the afternoon, July 9th, 1755. Braddock's army was marching through the forest, as they had been for weeks. They were getting closer to Fort Duquesne! Their troubles seemed almost over! Gordon, who was the engineer marking the places for a road to be carved for the wagons and artillery, was doing his job when suddenly he spotted an Indian running towards him. The Indian picked his hat up off of his head, and waved it around. Immediately, volleys and volleys and volleys of bullets poured down on the troops. Not a musket was seen, nor a head, nor a hand. This fire seemingly came from no where! All attempts to return fire, failed. These "King's regulars" were completely and utterly panicked! They had no idea what to do or where to go! Some of them ran off! Some where completely in shock! Nevertheless, the hail fire continued. Raining, pelting bullets continued for about two hours, non stop! Who else to be completely courageous, and completely targeted than the great Colonel George Washington? Just about every officer in command during that ambush, was either seriously wounded, or killed. Even General Braddock himself was mortally wounded, dying three days later! But, throughout this battle George Washington, being a target, stood in the face of the enemy, gave orders, encouraged his troops, and fought with every living fiber inside of him! His life literally was on the line for two whole hours! When it was all over, Colonel Washington was not even harmed! He later recounted that he found four bullet holes in his coat, himself unscathed, and two horses were shot from underneath him! You must understand that these Indians were expert marksmen! They had to be! They hunted, this was how they fought wars! They never missed! Especially a man on a horse!
Out of 1,300 British total, 714 were killed or wounded. And of the 86 officers, 62 were killed or wounded. This was a terrible loss for the British! Logically, George Washington should have died. But, Divine Providence prevented that from happening! I'll prove it to you. Martha Washington was a praying woman, was she not? Both she and her son had great faith in God's protection.
Psalm 91:7 ESV A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.
Our Founding Father's life was preserved by God's protection!
After the battle Washington wrote to his brother John, "But by the miraculous care of Providence I have been protected beyond all human probability or expectation; for I had four bullets through my coat and two horses shot under me yet escaped unhurt, although death was leveling my companions on every side of me."
After this great battle, as time went on, several previously unheard testimonies to this great account were told. One Indian is quoted saying, "Washington was never born to be killed by a bullet! I had seventeen fair fires at him with my rifle, and after all could not bring him to the ground!" An expert marksmen, after seventeen fair fires could not harm Washington! This has to be God!
There was also a woman by the name of Mary Draper Ingles, who was kidnapped by Indians around about the time of the battle. She recalls an instance where she was held at a council of the French and Indian allies. She heard the testimony of an Indian named Red Hawk, who had fired at Colonel Washington eleven different times! He had never missed his mark before this! After his eleven tries, he stopped firing at him, convinced that he was protected by the Great Spirit.
Samuel Davies, who was an important minister in the First Great Awakening, mentioned Washington in a sermon he wrote saying, "I may point out to the public that heroic youth, Colonel Washington, whom I cannot but hope Providence has hitherto preserved in so signal a manner for some important service to his country." Mr. Davies could not be more correct! Just twenty years later, George Washington was in charge of the whole Continental Army, and he won our nation's independence for us! What would have happened if Washington died that day? Perhaps another hero would have arisen, but we can never know. Our country would definitely not be the same! God, Divine Providence, protected George Washington, so that he could accomplish his destiny! Washington was not afraid of battle! He knew that God was with him, and fully trusted that.
Fifteen years later, when Washington was traveling the western territories to explore, an old Indian chief came to speak to Washington about that battle, long ago. Because what he says is so amazing, the full quote shall be given,
"I am a chief and ruler over my tribes. My influence extends to the waters of the great lakes and to the far blue mountains. I have traveled a long and weary path that I might see the young warrior of the great battle. It was on the day when the white man's blood mixed with the steams of our forest that I first beheld this chief [Washington]. I called to my young men and said, 'Mark yon tall and daring warrior? He is not of the red-coat tribe - he hath an Indian's wisdom, and his warriors fight as we do - himself is alone exposed. Quick! Let your aim be certain, and he dies.' Our rifles were leveled - rifles which, but for you, knew not how to miss. 'Twas all in vain; a power mightier far than we shielded you. Seeing you were under the special guardianship of the Great Spirit, we immediately ceased to fire at you. I am old, and soon shall be gathered to the great council fire of my fathers in the land of shades; but ere I go, there is something bids me speak in the voice of prophecy. Listen! The Great Spirit protects that man [Washington again], and guides his destinies - he will become the chief of nations, and a people yet unborn will hail him as the founder of a mighty empire. I am come to pay homage to the man who is the particular favorite of Heaven and who can never die in battle."
Now that is truly amazing! And look! Washington did become the founder of a mighty empire, and we do hail him as our "Founding Father". God would not let him die in battle! He was never meant to! In fact, George Washington was never even wounded in all of the battles he fought! And there where quite a many of them!
In 1779, Major Patrick Ferguson had a perfect chance to kill Washington. He was part of a guerrilla team, who were professional snipers. They were targeting one soldier after another, killing them, one by one. Ferguson and three of his best sharpshooters soon came across a man basically in point-blank range. The Major was about to order his men to fire on this man, when the thought suddenly became repulsive to him, the idea of shooting a man in the back who was just doing his duty, not being offensive, or defensive. In fact, this man was so bold that he looked Major Patrick Ferguson right in the eye, turned around, and walked slowly away. Ferguson had the perfect opportunity to shoot this man in the back, killing him. But he didn't. He had suddenly found the whole thing abominable. Ferguson later came to find out that this man's name was George Washington. He later recounted, "I could have lodged half a dozen balls in him before he was out of my reach... but it was not pleasant to fire at the back of an unoffending individual who was acquitting himself very coolly of his duty - so I let him live." But, he had no idea that it was Washington. This is God's amazing protection, yet again.
Perhaps President Calvin Coolidge makes a great point speak about what may have happened if Divine Providence had not intervened in George Washington's life. He says, "Washington was the directing spirit, without which there would have been no independence, no Union, no Constitution, and no republic... We cannot yet estimate him. We can only indicate our reverence for him and thank the Divine Providence which kept him to serve and inspire his fellow man."
The Lord God was certainly with Washington every moment in battle, and out. His hand was surely upon him. What an amazing testimony of God's goodness!
Ladies and Gentlemen, this account of Washington's miraculous experiences was at one point wildly known, even in public school textbooks! Now, very few people know of it. I hope that this article has strengthened your faith in God, and given you a greater appreciation for our Founding Father and his courage.
I would like to express an outstanding "THANK YOU!!" to Wallbuilders/David Barton Ministries. All of the information I learned about this wonderful account has come from the book The Bulletproof George Washington by David Barton. When I quoted Washington, his mother, or any other person, the quotes came directly from this wonderful book. It is available at www.wallbuilders.com I strongly suggest that you look at their ministry, it is truly awesome and it will educate you about the true history of our nation.
I also want to thank you, the reader, for taking the time to put away whatever you were doing, to learn a little bit about the amazing history of the United States of America.
God Bless America.
Have a wonderful day.
-Αναστασία
