Later, when young Colonel Washington was in the woods of Pennsylvania in 1755, in the midst of the French and Indian War, he faced an extremely close brush with death. British General Edward Braddock was in charge, leading 1300-1400 British soldiers on the way to Fort Duquesne. Only a few miles south of that location, as they crossed the Monongahela River, their path into the forest suddenly came alive with gunfire—all of it one-way—from the Indians and French hidden in the trees and shooting at the unsuspecting British soldiers. The British, who had been trained to march and fight in open field formation were cut to pieces without ever seeing their enemy. In his book, The Bulletproof George Washington, David Barton writes: “... not a musket was seen; the enemy was not visible. The blue smoke rising up after every discharge revealed that the firing came from the trees.”¹³

Washington had warned Gen. Braddock of the fighting methods of the Indians, but Braddock would hear none of it.¹⁴ His hubris and unwillingness to learn from Washington’s wilderness experience of fighting the Indians cost him and his officers their lives, as well as those of many of their men.¹⁵ Tragically, every one of the officers— except Colonel Washington—was wounded or killed.¹⁶

Someone looking at Colonel Washington at the battle assumed he would die any minute. He reported later, “I expected every moment to see him fall. Nothing but the superintending care of Providence could have saved him.”¹⁷ By the end of the “battle” (or really “rout”), Washington alone remained unharmed, with 714 Americans and British either killed or wounded.¹⁸ In contrast, the French and Indians lost three officers and thirty men.

Why was Washington not killed? After this battle, George wrote his brother, John Augustine Washington, and provided his answer to that question—“the miraculous care of Providence”:

Dear Jack: As I have heard since my arrival at this place, a circumstantial acct. of my death and dying speech, I take this early opportunity of contradicting both, and of assuring you that I now exist and appear in the land of the living by the miraculous care of Providence, that protected me beyond all human expectation; I had 4 Bullets through my Coat, and two Horses shot under me, and yet escaped unhurt. We have been most scandalously beaten by a trifling body of men; but fatigue and want of time prevents me from giving any of the details till I have the happiness of seeing you at home; which I now most ardently wish for, since we are drove in thus far. A Weak and Feeble state of Health, obliges me to halt here for 2 or 3 days, to recover a little strength, that I may thereby be enabled to proceed homewards with more ease; You may expect to see me there on Saturday or Sunday...I am Dear Jack, your most Affect. Brother.¹⁹

His comment is both a demonstration of his wit, as well as a statement of his deep faith in Divine protection.

One of the great Virginian Presbyterian ministers of those days pointed to Washington and expressed his hope that the young Colonel was being prepared by God for great things. Reverend Samuel Davies has been described by Dr. Clarence Edward Macartney as the “most eloquent preacher of Colonial days.”²⁰ What did Reverend Davies say about this remarkable young man who survived all the gunfire despite the incredible odds? “I may point out to the public that heroic youth, Colonel Washington, whom I cannot but hope that Providence has hitherto preserved in so signal a manner for some important service to his country.”²¹

This was just one of several close calls with death in the dangers of the French and Indian War in the wilds of the unsettled frontier.²²

THE INDIAN PROPHECY

Fifteen years later, Washington’s diaries show that he and his friend and personal physician, Dr. James Craik, went back to the Fort Dusquesne region and encountered several Indians.²³ As the French had been ousted from America, and the Indians had made peace, they safely made their return trip with the purpose of protecting the lands that Washington and his soldiers had received as payment from the government for their service in the French and Indian War. The remarkable Indian encounter that Washington and Craik had at that time was not recorded by Washington himself, but by Craik, who related it to Washington’s adopted grandson, George Washington Parke Custis. Custis records the solemn meeting in his Recollections of Washington, preserving what has become known as the “Indian Prophecy.”

It was in 1770, that Colonel Washington, accompanied by Doctor James Craik, and a considerable party of hunters, woodsmen, and others, proceeded to the Kanawha with a view to explore the country, and make surveys of extensive and valuable bodies of lands. At that time of day, the Kanawha was several hundred miles remote from the frontier settlements, and only accessible by Indian path, which wound through the passes of the mountains.

In those wild and unfrequented regions, the party formed a camp on the bank of the river, consisting of rudely-constructed wigwams or shelters, from which they issued to explore and survey those alluvial tracts, now forming the most fertile and best inhabited parts of the west of Virginia.

This romantic camp, though far removed from the homes of civilization, possessed very many advantages. The great abundance of various kinds of game in its vicinity afforded a sumptuous larder, while a few luxuries of foreign growth, which had been brought on the baggage horses, made the adventurers as comfortable as they could reasonably desire.

One day when resting in camp from the fatigues attendant on so arduous an enterprise, a party of Indians led by a trader, were discovered. No recourse was had to arms, for peace in great measure reigned on the frontier; the border warfare which so long had harassed the unhappy settlers, had principally subsided, and the savage driven farther and farther back, as the settlements advanced, had sufficiently felt the power of the whites, to view them with fear, as well as hate. Again, the approach of this party was anything but hostile, and the appearance of the trader, a being half savage, half civilized, made it certain that the mission was rather of peace than war.

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 Colonel Washington to the western country, this chief had set out on a mission, the object of which himself could make known.

The colonel [Washington] received the ambassador with courtesy, and having put matters in 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 so soon as the sachem approached, he in a moment pointed out the hero of the Monongahela, from among the group, although sixteen years had elapsed since he had seen him, and then only in the tumult and fury of battle. The Indian was of a lofty stature, and of a dignified and imposing appearance.

The usual salutations were going round, when it was observed, that the grand chief, although perfectly familiar with every other person present, preserved toward Colonel Washington the most reverential deference. It was in vain that the colonel extended his hand, the Indian drew back, with the most impressive marks of awe and respect. A last effort was made to induce an intercourse, by resorting to the delight of the savages — ardent spirit — which the colonel having tasted, offered to his guest; the Indian bowed his head in submission, but wetted not his lips. Tobacco, for the use of which Washington always had the utmost abhorrence, was next tried, the colonel taking a single puff to the great annoyance of his feelings, and then offering the calumet to the chief, who touched not the symbol of savage friendship. The banquet being now ready, the colonel did the honors of the feast, and placing the great man at this side, helped him plentifully, but the Indian fed not at the board. Amazement now possessed the company, and an intense anxiety became apparent, as to the issue of so extraordinary an adventure. The council fire was kindled, when the grand sachem addressed our Washington to the following effect:

“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 forests 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 red-coat tribe — he hath an Indian’s wisdom, and his warriors fight as we do—himself 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 him from harm. He can not 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 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!”

The savage ceased, his oracle delivered, his prophetic mission fulfilled, he retired to muse in silence, upon that wonder-working spirit, which his dark “Untutored mind saw oft in clouds, and heard Him in the wind.” Night coming on, the children of the forest spread their blankets, and were soon buried in sleep. At early dawn they bid adieu to the camp, and were seen slowly winding their way toward the distant haunts of their tribe. The effects which this mysterious and romantic adventure had upon the provincials, were as various as the variety of character which composed the party. All eyes were turned on him, to whom the oracle had been addressed, but from his ever-serene and thoughtful countenance, nothing could be discovered: still all this was strange, “t’was passive strange.” On the mind of Doctor James Craik, a most deep and lasting impression was made, and in the war of the Revolution it became a favorite theme with him particularly after any perilous action, in which his friend and commander had been peculiarly exposed, as the battles of Princeton, Germantown, and Monmouth. On the latter occasion, as we have elsewhere observed, Doctor Craik expressed his great faith in the Indian’s prophecy.²⁴

It would appear that Providence had preserved George Washington’s life for a greater purpose. Multiple witnesses attested to that notion, ranging from a Presbyterian minister, a physician, an Indian sachem to Washington himself. No wonder Washington so often referred to Providence and so willingly expressed his praise and gratitude to the Almighty.

WASHINGTON AND THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR

When the Continental Congress began to prepare for war in 1775, George Washington was the unanimous choice of the colonies as the leader for the Army. He told Congress that he did not feel himself “equal to the command” and he confided in his wife Martha that he didn’t feel worthy of this position: “I hope my undertaking this service is designed to answer some good purpose. I rely confidently on that Providence which has heretofore preserved and been bountiful to me.”²⁵

Historian George Bancroft said that George Washington’s decision to accept the post as commander in chief positively changed the colonies’ history. “His acceptance changed the aspect of affairs.”²⁶ John Adams, who suggested Washington fulfill this role said: “This appointment will have a great effect in cementing the union of these colonies. The general is one of the most important characters of the world; upon him depend the liberties of America.”²⁷ And so Bancroft observed, “All hearts turned with affection toward Washington. This is he who was raised up to be, not the head of a party, but the father of his country.”²⁸ But even with all of his great abilities, the battles he personally directed and fought resulted in both victories and defeats:

1775

the siege of the British who occupied Boston—Victory

1776

the Battles of Long Island, New York City,

Fort Washington—All Defeats

1776

the Retreat through New Jersey—Defeat

1776

the Battle of Trenton—the Christmas Day

surprise attack—Victory

1777

the Battle of Princeton—surprise attack—Victory

1777

the Battle of Brandywine—Defeat

1777

the Battle of Germantown—almost victory ending in a

Draw or Defeat

1777-1778

the British occupation of Philadelphia and the winter

in Valley Forge

1778

the Battle of Monmouth—almost Defeat, ending in Victory

1780

Benedict Arnold’s treason at West Point—near Defeat,

but plot foiled

1781