George Washington
A man known for his accomplishments throughout the world, but his military experience began during the French and Indian War. He was commissioned a major in the Virginia militia by Royal Governor Robert Dinwiddie. By 1753, he was sent to be an ambassador for the British forces to French dignitaries and Indian representatives near present-day Erie, Pennsylvania. The French intended to construct a series of forts downriver and deny British trade and settlement there. A year later, he led another expedition to build a fort near present-day Pittsburgh. Having already utilized the skills of the local tribal leader, Tanacharison, and backed by his support, he would continue onward the stop the French movement into Virginia.
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He built Fort Necessity, 37 miles south of the forks of the major rivers, at a place known as Great Meadows, in order to fortify their position. The French sent out a scouting party led by Joseph Coulon de Villers de Jumonville to locate Washington. Tanacharison and his men met with Washington and ambushed the French troops, killing all but one, including Jumonville. In retaliation, the French sent over 700 men and surrounded Necessity, and Washington had to surrender.
In 1755, Washington traveled with General Edward Braddock toward Fort Duquesne in order to remove the French from their position. After the retreat and defeat at the Battle of the Monongahela, he maintained his position and was commended for his valor. From 1755 until 1758, he was acting Colonel of the Virginia Regiment and directed provincial defense against French and Indian raids on the countryside. He would also travel with General John Forbes on the 1758 expedition that drove the French from Fort Duquesne. Shortly thereafter however, the future President was unsuccessful in attaining a commission in the British military, and decided to leave army life, married Mary Custis, and became a plantation owner.
His experience should not be overlooked as he gained valuable skills that improved his logistical, strategic, and tactical decision making. Even though he failed on multiple occasions, he became aware of the political skills involved in the military establishment as well. There were ties to the provincial government and the crown across the ocean, and because of his reputation, he became the natural selection as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army in the near future.
In 1755, Washington traveled with General Edward Braddock toward Fort Duquesne in order to remove the French from their position. After the retreat and defeat at the Battle of the Monongahela, he maintained his position and was commended for his valor. From 1755 until 1758, he was acting Colonel of the Virginia Regiment and directed provincial defense against French and Indian raids on the countryside. He would also travel with General John Forbes on the 1758 expedition that drove the French from Fort Duquesne. Shortly thereafter however, the future President was unsuccessful in attaining a commission in the British military, and decided to leave army life, married Mary Custis, and became a plantation owner.
His experience should not be overlooked as he gained valuable skills that improved his logistical, strategic, and tactical decision making. Even though he failed on multiple occasions, he became aware of the political skills involved in the military establishment as well. There were ties to the provincial government and the crown across the ocean, and because of his reputation, he became the natural selection as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army in the near future.