Evening star., 1932-02-21
GEORGE WASHINGTON rs Il SOLDIER

in chief Of the forces raised for the defense Of
his native commonwealth. Following the
French and Indian War. George Washington
was looked upon aS "the most distinguished
soldier Of the British North American Colonies"
With the Revolution In the ofnng. popular
demand placed Washington In command Of the
Virginia troops. In his blue and bun uniform
he participated In the Second Continental Con-
Rress that assembled at Philadelphia on May
TO- ITS He was then 43 years Of age and
he had worn the Kings uniform for more
than 20 years
Unanimously, George Washington was chosen
Commander in Chief Of the Revolutionary
Army on June Is, TITS. John Adams, who
nominated him for the post, wrote In MS
diary: Il had no hesitation to declare tnat
had but one gentleman in my mind Tor that
important command. and that was gentle
man from Virginia, who was amongst us ana
very well known to all Of US: gentleman
whose skill and experience as an officer. whose
independent fortune great talents and excel
lent universal character would command the
appreciation of all America and unite the cor
dial exertions of all the Colonies better than
any other person in the Union"
Accepting appointment. Washington told the
chamber II beg they will accept my cordial
thanks for this distinguished testimony Of their
appreciation. But lest some unlucky event
should happen mfavofable to my reputation.
I beg it may be remembered by every gentle
man in tn, room that this day declare with
the utmost sincerity do not think myself
equal to the command am honored with. AS
to pay sir, beg leave to assure the Congress
that as no pecuniary consideration could have
tempted me to accept this arduous employ
ment at the expense Of my domestic ease and
happiness, do not wish to make any profit
from it. / will keep an exact account of my
expenses Those I doubt not they will dis
charge, and that is all desire"
The pOpulace was eager to see their new
chieftaiD Washington
ture: Stately in person, noble in his demearor,
calm and dignfled in his department; as he
sat upon his horse with manly grace his mill
tary presence delighted every eye and wherever
he went the air rang with acclamations." The
Commander in Chief Of the Continentals was
the beau ideal of a soldier.
EN-. ARTEMAS WARD was in command
~ at Boston after Concord and Lexington.
and thither Washington went to assume his
new. role. Confronted with superior numbers,
better equipped and trained Washington was
able. by dint of military skill, to triumph. His
maximum force in all theaters of operation
was about IS 900 men. He personally COM
manded force comparable to an American
World War brigade of infantry.
His army lacked pay, food. clothing shoes
and blankets. It was without skilled medical
officers supplies. jealous Congress kept
his men short-term enlstments and with
held necessary equipment. Without powder,
he maintained his forces for six months and,
to the words OF Col Vestal he virtually
disbanded one army and recruited another
within musket shot Of 20 British regiments"
He pledged his own fortune for the pay Of
his men, just as. months before, he had pro-
claimed: Il will raise 900 men, subeist them
at my own expense, and march myself at their
head. for the relief OF Boston" He a
strict disciplmarian when necessity demanded
At one time, at Valley Forge, he had to
threaten to hang any one taking provisions 20
Philadelphia. In 1776 at Kips Bay when Clin-
ton landed and the Americans ran Washing
ton himself bela bored the panicky soldiers and
even brigadier general. with his sword"
DR.. Albert Bushnell Hart. historian of the
George Washington Ricentennial Commission,
Is authority for the statement: Although con-
sidered stern, cold and remote, commanding
the respect of the rank and hle and the public
by the forcefulness of his personality and his
high character, he was not hard man nor a
martinez. He suffered in sympathy for his
ragged, half-starved poorly-fed soldiers and
shared every privation with them. For more
than six years, although often within 4 couple
Of hundred miles of his own home of ease and
plenty. he did not visit it. Despite his formal
and austere manner every man in the ranks
knew that he had the complete sympathy of
his commander and rested in the assurance
of his Justice"
The British called Gen. Washington the
"Old Fox" He had his own clever spy system
and arrangements of secret codes His bold
ness was characteristic He always appeared
to be preparing for action He gave out mis-
information for the enemy's benefit. The swift
ness with which he moved his armies was
proverbial and comparable to this trait of julius
Caesar or Joffres taxicab army. rushing to the
first battle of the Marne. He survived the
Conway cabal. movement within the amy
that sought to unseat him. but a less virile
leader might well have been broken in spirit.
Congress was not guided by his advice in mill
tary matters, but he surrounded himself with a
group of able officers. His personal magnetism
held together his army of shreds and patches.
In addition to commanding the army. under
orders of Congress. Washington had direction
of the Naval Department" Maj Edwin NJ
Mcclellan. Marine Cons historian. tells lis