George Washington

879 Words2 Pages

The soldier’s time to serve would be up in just ten days, the British continued to win battles, all hope of winning the war was fading and everyone was ready to put down their weapons and surrender to Great Britain. However, George Washington was not settling with anything less than trying their best. He kept that little flicker of hope that was still left, alive. The Continental Congress did not see much hope in the war either and turned the responsibility of the war to General George Washington. Washington received a message from Congress saying,
“Full power to direct all things relative… to the operations of war.” (Dupuy 63-64). Although Washington did not see this as much of an honor he did what he could with his new power. In ten days his army would no longer have to serve and could go home to their families, the war would be over. Despite the constant reminder that the patriots were going to lose, Washington refused to believe it and took the leadership of forming a plan. Washington decided to make the courageous decision to attack the British at least one last time (Dupuy 63-64).
Washington immediately began to put together an army. He ordered Major General Charles Lee to bring his troops from New York to help, and General James Ewing brought his troops as well. On December 11, Washington crossed the Delaware River to get his army together and prepare for the upcoming fight. On December 13, General Lee was captured by the British, but thankfully General Sullivan successfully crossed the river with his troops. By December 20, Washington had enlisted around six thousand men (Murphy). Washington received reports that General Howe sent most of his force back to New York and had left the Hessians in different areas of New Jerse...

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...Americans won this war. Without his leadership, braveness, and great instincts the patriots couldn’t have won. He is the reason a new spark of hope was created when no one else had believed we could win, he is the reason we attacked the hessians on Christmas, he is the reason we attacked and won at Princeton, he is the reason his army made it through the harsh winter at valley forge, he is the reason men reenlisted and he is the reason America is a free country today. There are not enough words to describe how much George Washington has contributed to the world.

Works Cited

Dupuy, Trevor Nevitt. New York: Franklin Watts, 1969. Print
Murphy, Justin D. "Battle of Trenton." Facts on File:American History Online. Encyclopedia of American Military History, n.d. Web. 9 Jan. 2014.
"WASHINGTON, George." (n.d.): Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia. Web. 6 Jan. 2014.

Rhetorical Analysis of George Washington's Newburgh Conspiracy Speech
1955 Words | 4 Pages
"His mind was great and powerful, without being of the very first order; his penetration strong . . . Perhaps the strongest feature in his character was prudence, never acting until every circumstance, every consideration, was maturely weighed; refraining if he saw a doubt, but, when once decided, going through with his purpose, whatever obstacles opposed." (Thomas Jefferson, as cited in "George Washington," 2006, para.19) George Washington is one of the most recognized and famous leaders in all history of the United States of America. He contributed greatly to the establishment of this prosperous country, from leading the Revolutionary armies into battle, to running the country as the first president, Washington has set precedence and example for all who have and are yet to follow. He was a noble man who demonstrated characteristics one would expect from a hero figure. He was not power-hungry, but did things and played his role for the good of the country, for patriotic purposes, to help America become the success it is today. In March of 1783, the soldiers of the American military were restless, bored and in a terrible state of doubt and distrust concerning the newly formed congress of the country. When these soldiers joined the army, they were promised a certain amount of money according to their service, but by the war's end, congress was nearly broke and not in a position to pay them all they had earned. The soldiers planned a rebellion against congress for their unjust treatment, and attempted to hold an unauthorized meeting of the officers on the matter. Washington forbade the meeting, but called for one a few days later, in which he gave his speech concerning the Newburgh Conspiracy ("The Rise and Fall," 2006, para.2). General Washington was a highly respected man among his peers, soldiers, and fellow men. His opinions, approval, and presence alone were enough to validate many plans, documents, and meetings throughout his life, so it is no wonder that even simple words or acts performed by General Washington were respected, and more often than not, taken to heart by his audience; perhaps this is why it may seem surprising that one of the most important speeches he ever gave fell on relatively deaf ears, leaving the audience hesitant, confused, seemingly unaffected by his powerful use of diction, and emotional appeal.
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Summary Of 1776 By David Mccullough's 1776
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At the beginning of the Philadelphia Campaign, General Washington was not sure of General Howe’s plan. That changed when General Howe ...
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595 Words | 2 Pages
In Document B, the engraving, George Washington was talking to the Congressional Committee about helping the suffering soldiers in Valley Forge. George Washington is just trying to keep his army together and alive. He can't do that with everyone leaving. In his letter to George Clinton, (Doc E), he wrote: "...the present dreadful situation of the army for want of provisions...is more alarming than you will probably conceive...naked and starving as they are, we cannot enough admire the incomparable patience and fidelity of the soldiery...". Washington was amazed at how well his soldiers were holding up in their condition. He was grateful that they hadn't deserted yet, as well. General Washington cared about his troops. So much so, that he brought the committee to see them. He wanted to win the war, but you can't win a war against Britain on your
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Articles Of Confederation Dbq
567 Words | 2 Pages
During the war, George Washington commanded the American troops against the British. Because of his position as a commander, he noticed that the country is not united and that the Article of Confederation provides only little support to the army. According to manythings.org, “Washington wrote many angry letters about the military situation”. According to manythings.org, one of Washington’s famous quotes was, "Our sick soldiers are naked. Our healthy soldiers are naked. Our soldiers who have been captured by the British are naked!". The reaction after these letters were very negative, since the thirteen colonies refused to help, or even think of this as a war of all the states. All of the thirteen colonies were selfish, and they only worried about their own benefits. After the war, George Washington saw that it is almost impossible for the states to be united under the Articles Of Confederations. Washington believed that there should be a central government to rule all the thirteen colonies. Another important aspect was that there was no national currency that connects all the states with each other in terms of economy and trading. According to manythings.org, “There was an American dollar. But it did not have the same value everywhere”. Also, other states used other currencies than the American dollar, for example, the British pound. Many Americans and Europeans see that the colonies are going to
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Why Did Washington Want To Attack The Hessians Analysis
976 Words | 2 Pages
On December 7, 1776, Washington and his men made it to the Delaware River. General George Washington told Hugh Mercer that he wanted to cross the Delaware and attack the Hessians on the other side. Washington told Glover to get boats to sail across the Delaware. For a while before the occurrence, Washington was retreating from the British and the Hessians. Washington 's men suffered from many hardships in the months and years prior to crossing the Delaware. 20,000 men became fewer than 2,000 men, 300 cannons became 18 cannons, and the army had very little food, medicine, and blankets. Washington is quoted in saying, “An army without supplies cannot endure.” Washington was referring to his own army when he proclaimed this. Washington’s army
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1390 Words | 3 Pages
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527 Words | 2 Pages
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1084 Words | 3 Pages
It was a good year for a revolution, 1776. But it didn't start off quite as well as the colonists would have liked. When George Washington agreed to take command of the American forces in 1775, he probably didn't realize what he was truly getting himself into. Washington took command of an army made up of old men and young boys that had either come from their farms or the street. The army was short on weapons and gunpowder, lacked uniforms, and was racked by disease and drunkenness. Washington understood that what lies ahead would be difficult, considering he would be facing the most powerful country in world. But he probably didn't expect his worst problems to come from his own army, which was an undisciplined and untrained group that would eventually tamper with his great patience. Through it all he would stay determined and always try to stay one step ahead of the enemy.
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694 Words | 2 Pages
Washington presented a plan to the House of Burgesses to boycott the British in 1769. Though this was somewhat ignored, his persistence showed whenever he attended the First Continental Congress in Philadelphia and again the next year. During this time battles at Concord and Lexington occurred at this showed the Congress that action was to be made and George Washington was assigned command of the new army. He requested no pay.
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1311 Words | 3 Pages
...he surrender. Even if he would have arrived much sooner, a British defeat was inevitable. He left the colonies in 1782. The colonies had become the newest nation, and named itself the United States of America. The hero of the war, George Washington went on to become the first president of the United States. Many wanted him to become the king, but he refused because he didn’t want all the power just like their tyrant cousins.
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971 Words | 2 Pages
Lawrence, being a representative in the House of Burgesses, gave George extra training for his important position. His true leadership began to show during the beginning of the French and Indian War in 1754. He was sent by Robert Dinwiddie, the lieutenant governor of Virginia, to go to the Ohio valley to deliver a message. Tagged along with him , was a Virginian commissioner, Captain William Trent. Washington, during his rides in the wilderness, would almost always write in his journal or diary and read the Spectator. Washington created an ambush on the French at the Ohio Valley, this started the French and Indian War. During the French and Indian War, Washington got shot supposedly four times and was neither hurt nor wounded. It was because of the thickness of his lucky red coat. Although his fondness of not getting shot was prominent, he suffered many illness by the time he reached the age of 31 years old. Dysentery, Malaria, smallpox, tuberculosis, and pneumonia were all diseases he suffered from. But at this age, and this point of time, these sicknesses were common. After the war, Washington was accepted into the House of
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1258 Words | 3 Pages
...t Washington paid the troops with $10 in coins, so many of the troops didn’t quit after they were paid handsomely and they stayed and trained, so they may have the freedom they deserve. The british will now taste the colonists bullets and be defeated. The troops had the toughest times in their lives, they had not meat, no clothes, and rotting skin. But they still had their spirits, even when they were sick they had fought a massive winter for their lives. They thought that their independence for every colonist was more significant than their lives, in other words they put the innocents lives first, because without sacrifice there is no victory. 6 months we were at valley forge and we made it out, with many troops and about to give the british a war they’ll never forget. This war is will determine which side gets their desire, total control or freedom to all colonist.
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972 Words | 2 Pages
...e gun, it seemed, the greater the owner‘s pride in it.” (McCullough 33) The Continental army certainly did not look like an army yet these people were brought together in this fight for freedom and prevailed even winning the support of Americans who had no hope the British would be defeated.” Merchant Erving had sided with the Loyalists primarily because he thought the rebellion would fail. But the success of Washington‘s army at Boston had changed his mind as it had for many” (McCullough 108). The reader must comprehend the power of this accomplishment for the rag-tag army. “Especially for those who had been with Washington and who knew what a close call it was at the beginning-how often circumstance, storms, contrary winds, the oddities or strengths of individual character had made the difference- the outcome seemed little short of a miracle.” (McCullough 294).
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847 Words | 2 Pages
Like fire, it is a dangerous servant, and a fearful master.” - (George Washington.) Washington commanded the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), and was the first President of the United States, serving from 1789 to 1797. Washington played a leading military and political role in the American Revolution. He was very quick on his feet and had many tricks up his sleeve to lead the colonies to victory. On Christmas Eve, 1776, Washington had a great battle of Trenton, NJ, and days later on January 2nd, he tricked General Cornwallis's to think they were still at their camp, with all the fired burning. But instead, Washington's troops fled the camp and defeated Cornwallis.These battles were just 2 of many in the war that Washington was the leader of. George Washington also took advantage of fighting on lands that he is familiar with. In such battled that took place in a forest, Washington commanded his army to cut down trees and create roadblocks for the British, slowing them down tremendously. It was clear to all the electoral voters that George Washington was nothing less that a great leader. After America's great victory for independence, all 69 voted cast their votes for George Washington to become the first President of the United States. Washington was a very humble man, and at first didn't want the job. But he still had that fire to help his country succeed, so he gratefully accepted
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