Particular Favorite of Heaven

Even in this day and age where the national average of American history knowledge is embarrassingly low, I would assume, and desperately hope, that the overwhelming majority know that George Washington was our first president. Many too would know that he was the commander of the Continental Army and led the victory over the British in the American Revolution. But, where was Washington years before the great war for American independence?

The Battle of Fort Duquesne of the French and Indian War in July of 1755 was a defining moment for a young, 23-year-old Washington. Recruited by the British to travel with their general Edward Braddock to take Fort Duquesne, Washington tried to advise his superior through his expertise on the wilderness and Native Americans but to no avail. The British and American troops, numbering around 1,300, were ambushed by French and Indian troops who were firing at them from all sides.

Now here’s where the story gets especially interesting. Braddock ordered his men to fight in the traditional British style of combat; lined up in formation and exposed to the enemy. This was particularly problematic since the Native American warriors and Frenchmen were using guerrilla warfare tactics, hiding behind trees and rocks and soundly slaughtering nearly half of the British/ American troops while they only lost a few dozen men. The winning side also singled out officers shooting many off their horses.

Washington, though he had two horses shot out from underneath him, was the only officer remaining on horseback at the battle’s end. Since Braddock was injured, Washington took charge and ordered retreat.

Here is Washington’s account of his miraculous escape to his brother John Augustine Washington: “But, by the All-powerful Dispensations 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, altho[ugh] Death was leveling my Companions on every side of me!” (Letter from George Washington to John Augustine Washington, July 18, 1755, encyclopediavirginia.org)

His clothes were torn and two horses fell, but this founding father of our’s remained unscathed!

Now get this–15 years later in 1770, Washington and a friend, Dr. James Craik, returned to those same Pennsylvania woods where the Battle of Fort Duquesne was fought and were approached by a group of Native Americans. The chief proceeded to say this to Washington: “I am chief and ruler over all 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. 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 alone is 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 far mightier than we shielded him from harm. He cannot die in battle. The Great Spirit protects that man, and guides his destinies. He will become chief of nations, and a people yet unborn will hail him the founder of a mighty nation. I am come to pay homage to the man who is the particular favorite of Heaven, and who can never die in battle.”

Wow! Just think, the entire trajectory of our country would be different had not Washington’s life been spared on that fateful day. And he did, as predicted by the old chief, “become chief of nations.” There was clearly a great plan for Washington’s life and for this country which might not be here if it weren’t for this miracle.

Continuing against odds as one ill-equipped to lead compared with his peers both in the military arena, where he had never led an entire army, and in the political sphere, where he was the only one of our Founding Fathers who became president without a college education, George Washington proved that through hard work and true leadership (and of course the help of “Providence”), one man can change the course of history.