He continued to serve in the war, leading provincial units until he resigned in 1758. The following year, Washington fought at the disastrous Battle of Monongahela on July 9, 1755, where the French and their Indian allies routed a large British and militia force. French and Native American forces retaliated, defeating Washington’s militia force. Washington, then a major, inadvertently started the French and Indian War in 1754 when his forces attacked and killed a French officer in a scouting party in the Ohio River Valley. Yet, Washington desired military service and received a commission in the Virginia Militia in 1752. By the age of 20, Washington was a socially-connected, well-educated, wealthy landowner.

He began working as a surveyor in 1748 and completed several expeditions to the Shenandoah Valley. Born into moderate wealth, Washington did not attend school but received a robust education in mathematics and land surveying. His father, a justice of the peace, died in 1743, and Washington inherited part of his estate at Ferry Farm near Fredericksburg. Though not without faults, he established a precedent of selfless service and moral integrity in the American armed forces, a legacy that lives on in the nation he helped create.īorn on February 22, 1732, to Augustine and Mary Ball Washington, the future president grew up in Virginia. In particular, his superb leadership qualities allowed him to succeed throughout his life. Constitution, and served as the first president of the United States. He led the Continental Army to victory in the Revolutionary War, helped create the U.S. In many ways, he is viewed almost as a mythical figure and is typically remembered for his momentous achievements. White House Historical Foundation.įew figures loom as large in American military history as George Washington. Washington's reputation as a commander and leader of men in the army eventually led to his being elected the first President of the United States.George Washington by Charles Willson Peale, 1776.

One of Washington's greatest triumphs of the American Revolution was the turning of this ragtag bunch into a real army. As the war progressed they would be joined by their brethren from the rest of the colonies and develop into a formidable force in their own right. They came from Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island and New Hampshire. Much of these original militia members were absorbed into the Continental Army. Washington faced a formidable job of turning these regular citizens into an army that could defeat the vastly superior British army. Disease ran rampantly through their camps. The militia was made up mostly of untrained farmers, merchants and artisans. 6,000 British soldiers were trapped inside the city, while 10,000-15,000 militia, under the command of Massachusetts General Artemas Ward, surrounded the city. The following week, Washington left for Boston where New England militia were laying siege to the city. He also told Martha that he had updated his will and hoped to be home by the end of the year. He told her that he had not sought the position and had actually tried to avoid it, but that he felt duty bound to serve at the request of his countrymen. On the 18th, from Philadelphia, he wrote a letter to his wife Martha, informing her of his appointment and that he must leave for Boston immediately.

Washington appointed commander in chief