20 years before the American Revolution, there was a war known as The French and Indian War. The British and the French were having territorial disputes along the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers... both sides were claiming the same land; the Americans joined the British to fight against the French.
The French occupied what when then known as Fort DuQuesne (Pittsburgh, PA). George Washington, who at the time was a 23 year old colonel of the Virginia Militia, joined up with General Braddock, who was commanding Britain's best soldiers, to help drive out the French from Fort DuQuesne. Colonel Washington and General Braddock, along with 1,300 of their best troops, set off to Fort DuQuesne. On July 9th, 1755, the French and their Indian allies ambushed the British and Americans as they marched through a ravine.
After two hours of fighting, 714 of the 1,300 British and American troops had been killed, while only 30 of the French and Indians had been shot. Of the 86 British and American officers who led the troops in battle, George Washington was the only officer who had not been shot off his horse.
In a letter to his family, Washington explained that after the battle, he removed his jacket and found 4 bullet holes in it, yet, he remained completely unharmed. Washington had lost several horses but had not once been hit by a bullet himself.
In his letter, Washington wrote: "By all the powerful dispensations of Providence. I have been protected beyond all human probability or expectation." Washington miraculously was unharmed and he gave God the glory for His protection.
And yet, this amazing story is not over. 15 years later, an Indian Chief who had led the Indians in that battle, heard that Washington was in the region and traveled a long distance for a chance to meet with him. The two sat down together and the chief recounted that not only had he told his braves to single out all the officers and shoot them down, but the chief himself had shot at Washington 17 different times. Every time, Washington was unharmed. The chief concluded that Washington was under the care of the Great Spirit, and told his braves to stop firing at him.
4 comments:
Very good historical information here... a true showing of divine intervention. And let us not forget to acknowledge the vast improvements in both grammer and vernacular... GOOD JOB BEAR!
This was typed via mom upon Bear's request. He loved this story!!!
Bear...that was very interesting. I heard something about that recently. And Nonno and I have recently been interested in this kind of history since watching the sereies "john Adams", which you can rent. It, by the way, shows a very respectable George Washington. It's very good. It's amazing to learn how God has blessed and protected America. And how much we probably don't know!!! We can only pray that he keeps his hand of protection over us. Remember, Bear...history is very interesting. Enjoy as you learn it. Nonna and I are enjoying it the 2nd time around! Love you.
So interesting Bear. Did you know that our Fort here in Mackinac fought in that war and we tell about it when you visit? Someday you and Walker can be summer workers here and tell these things to the people that visit our little part of the world'
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