The Indispensable Man

Since this week is George Washington's birthday, I feel compelled to write something about His Excellency, the "Indispensable Man."  

Young Washington  

These two sobriquets are just a sampling of the many honorifics given to Washington both during his lifetime and as his legacy grew. You might be surprised to know that some early biographies of Washington were poorly drawn and, in some instances, created or perpetuated myths that continue to this day, such as the cherry tree incident, wooden teeth, and his "vision" at Valley Forge. However, Washington's real achievements surpass all fictional characterizations. In this blog, we'll discuss some of his earlier accomplishments.

The young George Washington managed to overcome relatively modest beginnings and rise to a stature that has transcended the ages. Born to a small Virginia landholder's second marriage, a nearly cosmic chain of events helped elevate George Washington to the forefront of Virginia society—the platform from which he launched his career. These events include a series of early deaths (father, male siblings), failure in love, finding a wealthy benefactor, entering a successful marriage, exploiting political connections, and ultimately profiting from a series of near-catastrophic failures.

Young Martha Custis

When Washington's older brothers died at relatively young ages, young Washington inherited Virginia lands he had never aspired to. Before acquiring them, Washington set out to create his own path through surveying. He learned about land and mathematics—knowledge that would later aid him in land speculation and planning military campaigns. Young Washington became acquainted with Lord Fairfax (we won't speculate on rumored paramour Sally Fairfax here) and the brilliant and wealthy George Mason. Both connections helped him gain prominence. Failed early romances introduced him to some prominent families and ultimately led him to the acquaintance of the wealthy young widow, Martha Custis. His marriage to Martha made him a "man of consequence" in Virginia planter society. It also grounded him and helped him mature into a man of financial and emotional substance.

Virginia Governor
Robert Dinwidie

Due to his persistent lobbying and survey experience, Virginia's Royal Governor Dinwiddie sent a very young Washington west to explore Virginia's vast holdings. At that time, the Commonwealth included West Virginia and claimed large parts of what are now Kentucky, Ohio, and beyond. The issue was that those lands were inhabited by Indians whose tomahawks were influenced by their French benefactors to the north. Neither the French nor the Indians considered the territories that now make up Ohio and Kentucky to be part of the Old Dominion. Nevertheless, Washington undertook several missions west, one of which led to the massacre of a French Ambassador. This incident directly set off a chain of events that initiated the Seven Years War in Europe and the French and Indian War in America. Essentially, George Washington triggered the world war that would eventually contribute to the American Revolution!

Serving as Aide to General Braddock in 1755

Colonel Washington
 of the Virginia Militia

During the French and Indian War, politics led to Washington becoming the commander of the Virginia militia. However, when Britain's Lord Loudoun and a series of other British commanders rejected his requests for a regular commission, Washington began to question his "Britishness." Although denied a regular commission, his knowledge of the West earned Washington an appointment as aide to General William Braddock's fateful (and fatal) campaign to capture the French fort near present-day Pittsburgh. The column of over 1,000 British regulars was ambushed in the forests of western Pennsylvania. Yet, Washington's composure in the face of panic among officers and men alike in the presence of the French and Indians brought him renown. Despite this, Washington spent the remainder of the war leading a weak militia force in a challenging defense of western Virginia settlements against Indian raids.




The post-war period in America once again relegated Washington to a local figure who focused his efforts on farming and land dealings while dabbling in petty Virginia politics. However, after the French and Indian War, Washington also embarked on a period of political reflection that enhanced his intellect and gravitas. As the struggle with the mother country began to loom over the colonies, Washington's early exploits—both his successes and failures—would eventually lead to his acclamation as commander in chief of the Continental Army in June 1775.

His Excellency, George Washington,
was proclaimed commander-in-chief of
the Continental Army

Promotions and Pride

I served for over 20 years in the US Army and had 8 years of ROTC experience before that. Not what you think—I took junior ROTC at Xavier High School, the Jesuit Military Academy of New York. However, throughout all those years, there was one event that always filled me with a sense of accomplishment, strangely combined with a sense of dread—the promotion!

In the military, one's success is measured in three ways when not actually in combat; in that case, it’s measured by surviving, ensuring your unit members survive, or closing in on the enemy with fire and movement to take your objective (or hold it). In other words, winning battles and wars. But across a war or a career, awards and medals for accomplishments, gallantry, and the like are occasionally punctuated by promotions. The Army does not offer cash bonuses like the civilian sector; therefore, promotions (okay, there are longevity steps) are the only tangible means of remuneration...the gift that keeps on giving. And they do stoke the ego...

                                                                                

                                                         Medals are symbols of achievement

While many serving their country may publicly dismiss the need for such recognition, most of these sentiments are sheer nonsense. Almost everyone appreciates acknowledgment, and in the military, promotions serve as the primary form of recognition, aside from gallantry awards. During the era of the Yankee Doodle Spies, the promotion of officers was highly significant.

Silas Dean

And just like their British counterparts, the American officer corps was deeply political. Congress controlled promotions and commands at the highest levels. Officers actively lobbied congressional representatives in their pursuit of advancement. The American agents in France, Silas Dean and Benjamin Franklin, even sought rank and command for foreign officers and civilians. John Adams, disgusted by this military politicking, wrote that he “wearied to Death with the Wrangles between military officers, high and low. They Quarrell like Cats and Dogs. They worry one another like Mastiffs Scrambling for Rank and Pay like Apes for Nuts.”

Military pride nearly cost us our independence. More importantly, a denied promotion or command often played a pivotal role during the war. Note the less-than-honorable service of General Charles Lee, Washington's second-in-command, who avoided overachieving whenever it threatened General Washington's authority. The scheming of General Horatio Gates, victor at Saratoga, became the focus of an anti-Washington cabal aimed at replacing Washington with him. Moreover, pride, as detrimental to the nation's struggle for independence, is most notoriously exemplified by the treason of General Benedict Arnold, whose grievances (and they were numerous) included the unfair denial of a well-deserved promotion to Major General. Each of these men turned against Washington and, consequently, against the cause, due to excessive pride.

                                               
                                                                              Horatio Gates

We often forget that the men who served as our First Patriots were human beings with families and obligations. Promotion signified prestige and honor, which were highly valued traits in the 18th century. These promotions also brought more pay, and most officers, along with all enlisted men, were not wealthy landholders but rather teachers, shopkeepers, small farmers, and so on. Therefore, the prospect of a promotion and the accompanying potential for higher earnings were significant considerations. They all (correctly) assumed that higher rank during the war would translate to greater prestige, which could be beneficial after the war. Again, they weren't much different from folks today. In an ideal world, patriotism would be its own reward. Yet, in reality, patriotism needs to be rewarded fairly.

                                                                             

                                                                         Charles Lee

Unfortunately, a promotion in the Continental Army did not necessarily lead to a pay increase. In fact, payments for officers and enlisted personnel were sporadic. Congress had to request funds from the states to pay the Army, and the states often delayed or reneged whenever they could. Without elaborating here, this nearly brought down the new republic before it even started, and only swift action by George Washington himself prevented a disaster. It also influenced Washington's political views toward a strong central government, one that was self-sufficient enough to fund national defense and the common good. Interestingly, the politics of promotion played a significant role in the war's development and the formation of the country.

                                                                Continental Army Officers