History 1-3b—George Washington’s Miraculous Preservation
George Washington’s Miraculous Preservation
This event took place during the French and Indian War, before our Revolutionary War.
“On the 20th of April [1755] General Braddock marched from Alexandria, where his
troops had first landed. Colonel Washington, detained by his private concerns, did not
leave Mount Vernon till the 23d. He joined the army in a few days at Fredericktown,
Maryland. From hence they pursued their way into the wilderness. On the 14th of June
he was taken sick with a violent fever in the Alleghany mountains. The army proceeded
without him, the violence of his disease rendering it impossible for him to travel. He was,
however, convalescent in a few weeks, and so far recovered as to bear his part in the
memorable battle of the Monongahela. This fatal event occurred on Wednesday, the
9th of July.
“Colonel Washington had only joined the army the day before: he was weak and
feeble from the effects of his late sickness; yet did he nobly fulfill his duty that day. While
death was strewing the plain with its agonized victims, he conducted himself with the
greatest courage and resolution. General Braddock, with almost every officer of
distinction, and a large proportion of the troops, were either killed or wounded.
Washington alone abided unhurt the horrors of that dreadful conflict. When Braddock
himself fell, the wretched remnant of his blasted army was conducted by Washington
to a place of safe retreat. The general was also carried off by his assistance, but died of
his wounds a few days after the battle. He was buried at night, in the road, near Fort
Necessity, at the Great Meadows.”i
“[That day] sixty-four British officers were killed and wounded, and Washington was the
only mounted officer on the field. His horse being shot, Bishop [another officer] was
promptly at hand to offer him a second; and so exhausted was the youthful hero from
his previous illness and his great exertions in the battle, that he was with difficulty
extricated from his dying charger, and was actually lifted by the strong arms of Bishop
into the saddle of the second horse.ii
Many years later, in 1770, “Col. Washington, accompanied by Dr. [James] Craik, and a
considerable party of hunters, woodsmen and others, proceeded to Kenhawa with a
view to explore the country, and make surveys of extensive and valuable tracts of land.
At that time of day, the Kenhawa was several hundred miles remote from the frontier
settlements, and only accessible by Indian paths, which wound through the passes of
the mountains.
“... One day, when resting in the camp from the fatigues attendant on so arduous an
enterprise, a party of Indians led by a trader, were discovered. ... They halted at a short
distance, and the interpreter advancing, declared that he was conducting a party,
which consisted of a Grand Sachem, and some attendant warriors; that the chief was a
very great man among the Northwestern tribes, and the same who commanded the
Indians on the fall of Braddock, sixteen years before; that hearing of the visit of Col.
Washington to the western country, this chief had set out on a mission, the object of
which, himself would make known.
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History 1-3b—George Washington’s Miraculous Preservation
“The colonel [Washington] received the ambassador with courtesy, and having put
matters in the camp in the best possible order for the reception of such distinguished
visitors, which so short a notice would allow, the strangers were introduced. Among the
colonists were some fine, tall, and manly figures, but as soon as the Sachem
approached, he in a moment pointed out the hero of the Monongahela, from amid
the groupe, although sixteen years had elapsed since he had seen him, and then only
in the tumult of battle. The Indian was of lofty stature, and of a dignified and imposing
appearance.
“... The council fire was kindled when the Grand Sachem addressed our Washington to
the following effect:
"’I am a Chief, and Ruler over many tribes, my influence extends to the waters of the
Great Lake 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, that the White Man's
blood, mixed with the streams of our forest, that I first beheld this Chief; I called to my
young men and said, mark yon tall and daring warrior, he is not of the Redcoat 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
him, knew not how to miss. `Twas all in vain, a power mightier, far than we, shielded
you. He cannot die in battle. 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 a something, bids me
speak in the voice of prophecy--Listen! The Great Spirit protects that man [Washington],
and guides his destinies--he will become the chief of nations, and a people yet unborn,
hail him as the founder of a mighty Empire!’"iii
i
M'Guire, E. C. (Edward Charles) The Religious Opinions and Character of Washington. New York: Harper, 1836.
ii
Custis, George Washington Parke. Recollections and Private Memoirs of Washington.(1859), pp. 66-67; narrative,
told by Dr. Craik to Mr. George Washington Parke Custis. "Compiled from files of the National intelligencer, printed
at Washington, D.C."/ Reproduction of original from Library of Congress.
iii
Custis, George Washington Parke. The Indian Prophecy. Recollections and Private Memoirs of Washington, Derby
& Jackson, 1860, pp. 300-305. Account first published in the Philadelphia United States Gazette, May 27, 1826.
The Indian Prophecy. Extracts from "Recollections of Washington," a New Work by George W. P. Curtis. Natchez
Gazette, Saturday, June 24, 1826; Issue 25;, p. 1, col D.
http://www.classicapologetics.com/special/miraclesUS.html
© 2012 American Heritage Schools, Inc. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted for copying of the notebook pages and other online resources for
use by the original purchaser’s own immediate family. No part of this publication may be transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher.