Two hundred and fifty years ago this July, a radical idea was taking form in Philadelphia. After a hot summer of loud discussion, debate and drama, a new nation was born. It was only a nation on paper at that point, yet to be won by seven more years of violent conflict and terrible bloodshed. It had already been in skirmishes and battles with Britain for a year, in which an experienced officer named George Washington had been appointed commander in chief of the colonial armies.
The Continental Congress, a select group of representatives and patriots of varying loyalties, had just completed a document that surely placed their lives in peril as traitors to the crown.
Washington was once a loyal British soldier, a survivor of the French and Indian War, and a singularly remarkable man. And his pre-Revolutionary War story is every bit as amazing as any other part of his life. In fact, I recently read a book that suggested he may have benefited from a few moments of divine protection, which allowed him to play such an instrumental role in the founding of the United States of America. I know what I believe about it. What do you think?
The British and French had been fighting on and off for three quarters of a century, and that conflict had spilled into the 13 colonies that would eventually become the United States of America. Both nations had trappers and settlers that ranged inland from the east coast, and they each thought themselves the righteous owners of the entirety of the frontier, first the Ohio Valley, Mississippi River, and eventually, all points west.
A young George Washington had been a diplomatic courier, clearing paths through uncharted land, narrowly escaping death in the frontier at the hands of hostiles, unbearable weather conditions, and at least one incident in a frozen river that could have ended his life.
Because of his bravery, toughness, intelligence and situational reasoning, he was made a lieutenant colonel.
Leading an attack on a French expedition, Washington managed his first victory, which, according to some sources, was the beginning of what is now called the French and Indian War.
His enemies retaliated, and after a humiliating defeat at the hands of the French and their native American allies at Fort Necessity, Washington was forced to surrender. This was the first and last time he would ever do so.
In 1755, Washington was highly praised for saving his army in retreat at the Battle of Monongahela, where his commander was killed, and Washington, quite miraculously, took four bullets through his coat, but was not hit.
A couple of years later, Washington survived a friendly fire incident at Fort Duquesne, in which he could have been killed. Additionally, Red Hawk, a Native American chief who fought in the battle, relayed that he had shot at Washington 11 times without hitting him. He reasoned that since his gun had never missed its target, the Great Spirit must have been protecting Washington, and he quit firing at him.
Another Native American chieftain who fought against him was quoted more than once, “Washington was never born to be killed by a bullet! I had 17 fair fires at him with my rifle, and after all, could not bring him to the ground!”
Fifteen years and many battles after the French and Indian War began, but still before our Revolutionary War, legend has it that an old Native American war chief offered what became known at the Indian Prophecy:
“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 streams of our forest that I first beheld this chief [Washington]. I called 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, power mightier 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 the shades, but ere I go, there is something bids me speak in the voice of prophecy: Listen! The Great Spirit protects that man, 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.”
Happy 250th!
