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george washington

George Washington 's Early Military Experiences and the Lessons Learned

Roma Doctora

History 011 - U .S . History

Prof . Hitt

Los Angeles Harbor College

Spring Semester - 2007

George Washington 's Early Military Experiences and the Lessons Learned PAGE 1 of 5 Early in life , George Washington had considered a military career . He had been stymied until his brother 's death in 1752 . He then received his first military appointment , partially replacing his brother Washington was not a born leader , and in the French and Indian war he did not

serve with distinction . His competence grew with experience though , and by the time of the Revolution he was the only one available to lead the Continental Army who was at all competent . He started as a fairly incompetent military officer and evolved into a capable military leader

Lawrence Washington , George Washington 's brother , was the Adjutant-General for Virginia . This post included the management of the militia . When he became ill , probably with tuberculosis , George Washington accompanied him to the Caribbean , hoping that the weather would assist in his recovery . When it did not help , they returned to Virginia , where Lawrence Washington died in July of 1752 ?100 annual salary and the rank of Major George Washington 's Early Military Experiences and the Lessons Learned PAGE 2 of 5

The southern district was regard as the least significant of the four districts . Washington continued to pressure Dinwiddie for the post in northern Virginia , the most prestigious of the

four . He believed that since his brother had been the Adjutant for all of Virginia , the northern post should be his . Dinwiddie relented , and Washington received the northern posting in 1753 . This was regarded as the most prestigious assignment in peacetime Virginia . Washington was awarded this post with no military experience at the age of twenty-one

Washington had amassed a respectable estate during this time . He had all the appearances of a successful citizen and young leader . Still fresh in his post of Adjutant for northern Virginia , he approached Dinwiddie again . This time he requested that he be sent as the Governor 's envoy to inform the French that they must leave British held land south of the great lakes , or face military consequences

Neither Dinwiddie nor the executive council of the Colony of Virginia believed that he was the best choice . That honor went to Captain Trent who had already led an expedition into Ohio . However , Dinwiddie did not trust him . Trent was currently assigned to building a fort at Allegheny , and it was decided that he should remain there to complete it

Washington was thus given his first important military mission . He left on October 30th , 1753 , four days after his meeting with Dinwiddie Since he spoke neither French nor the native Indian tongue , he hired an interpreter in Fredericksburg . He continued to Wills Creek where he hired a guide , two hunters , and two fur traders . The entourage now had seven men . They set of for the French on November 15th

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