Some interesting facts on George Washington

“I was summoned by my country, whose voice I can never hear but with veneration and love.”
George Washington

Some interesting things about George Washington

George Washington was a remarkable person whose character existed in exactly the right time in history. His father died when George was just 11 years old. That probably cost him the traditional formal education in Europe that was common in those days for those who could afford it. George was raised by his mother and became very close with an older half brother, Lawrence. Lawrence later married a girl of an aristocratic family who were well respected in the British military. When George was 15 his half brother presented George with the opportunity to become a midshipman on a Royal Navy vessel. At the last minute George’s mother decided not to let him go. Imagine how different things might have turned out if George Washington had joined the British Royal Navy.

George Washington was remarkably tall for the times. He was over 6 feet tall and for the times he was almost a foot taller then most men. His height helped his commanding presence throughout his life.

George became a surveyor as his father had been. This decision worked out very well for his later endeavors in the military. His knowledge and understanding of the geography helped him a great deal during the wars in which he served. George saved and acquired land at every opportunity.

George Washington had a successful military career with the Virginia Militia while serving in the French and Indian War. He never hesitated to enter the battle with his men. During one fierce battle he had 2 horses shot out from under him and at the end of the battle had a bullet hole through his hat and 3 more through his coat. Years later in 1770 while examining some land an Indian chief heard the Colonel was nearby and set out to meet with him. The Chief visited the camp where Washington was and then spoke around a camp fire through an interpreter.

The Chief told of a story of a battle during the French and Indian War in which he had seen Washington on top of a horse. He instructed his warriors to aim for the “yon tall and daring warrior”. …”Quick let your aim be certain, and he dies…. Twas all in vain: a power mightier far than we shielded him from harm. He can not die in battle.”

The chief continued, “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 unknown will hail him as the founder of a mighty empire!”

Well, was this old Indian Chief a profit or what? 5 years later while attending the Second Continental Congress George Washington was elected commander of the American army which was starting some of the beginning battles of the American Revolution. Washington accepted the commission but expressed his feelings of inadequacy but firmly pledged himself to the cause of liberty.

Most of Washington’s life was spend in the name of liberty. Most of the founding fathers writings were littered with the word liberty, but it is seldom heard from today’s politicians.

Washington spent 8 grueling years as commander of the American army during the revolutionary war and most of the time he had to deal with ill furnished troops; many of whom lacked shoes and proper clothing. In the winter they huddled together in only tents in bitter New England cold. For the 8 years, Washington refused to accept any pay for the position believing his duty to the cause of liberty should not warrant the receiving of any pay.

In the 8 years of war, 4400 American men were killed in battle, 6200 suffered nonfatal wounds and sent to hospitals. In those days, the hospital may have been worse then dyeing in battle. There were very few doctors with any formal training and most wounds ended up in amputation with no anesthetic. Even more remarkable to the casualties of battle was the fact that sixty thousand American soldiers died from disease, exposure, or malnutrition.

At the end of the war, much as before, Washington’s greatest desire was to retire to his farm and work the land. He found tranquility on Mt. Vernon and on many occasions expressed the desire to spend the rest of his days there.

Unfortunately, the continuing intertwining of fate and his life with that of the formation of America called for him again. In 1787 Congress approved a proposed convention to amend the Articles of Confederation. Early that year people began to summon Washington to attend the convention. He continued to turn down invitations and express his wishes to remain at Mt. Vernon. Over time the situation began to get the better of him and he saw the chance to cement freedom by creating a strong government.

As soon as the convention started, Washington was voted president of the convention. Some of the greatest political minds and most influential people of the times, were representatives of the Colonies at the convention. During the long summer of 1787 the convention hammered out the Constitution. It took until June 1788 for enough states to ratify the Constitution and finally the new government was born.

Washington then looked forward to spending his remaining days at Mt. Vernon, but many others had other thoughts for Washington’s future. Many people thought it was a foregone conclusion that Washington would be the 1st president. It took a convincing, and Washington again felt inadequate to the task, but eventually decided to accept the position. Again, Washington refused to accept pay for the office of President, but Congress declined his offer and voted him an annual salary of $25,000.

George Washington was a man who longed for a private life but ended up with one of the most important public lives in American history.


(Facts from The Real George Washington, National Center for Constitutional Studies, Parry, Allison, Skousen)