Loren Lippincott
I recently saw the movie “Young Washington,” which premiered on July 3rd and details the early life of the man who came to be known as the Father of Our Country. Featured prominently in the film is the story of how George Washington gained the reputation of being bulletproof, which comes from a real historical event that took place during the French and Indian War.
It happened during the disastrous Battle of Monongahela, also known as Braddock’s Defeat, which took place on July 9, 1755. That year the 23-year-old Washington was serving as a volunteer aide-decamp to British General Edward Braddock. The expedition aimed to capture Fort Duquesne (modern-day Pittsburgh) from the French. The British force — about 1,300 regulars and provincials — marched through dense wilderness in a long, vulnerable column.
Near the Monongahela River, about seven miles from the fort, they walked into a devastating ambush by French troops and their Native American allies, who fired from concealed positions in the woods and ravines.
British discipline collapsed under heavy, accurate fire from the enemy and the ambush turned into a disastrous defeat for Braddock’s troops. Panic spread and the British troops were cut down in the open. Of the 86 British and American officers in the battle, 63 became casualties. Washington was one of the few who kept his head, riding back and forth across the chaotic battlefield to deliver orders and rally the men.
History records that as a hail of bullets came at Washington two horses were shot out from under him, four bullets pierced his coat and shrapnel or bullet fragments were later found in his hair, but he emerged completely unharmed.
In fact Col. Washington was the only officer who remained on horseback at the end of the fighting. The next day, he wrote the following to his brother John Augustine: “By the all-powerful dispensations of Providence, I have been protected beyond all human probability or expectation; for I had four bullets through my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet escaped unhurt, although death was leveling my companions on every side of me.”
We don’t have to take Washington’s word for the divine protection he received that day, however. Fifteen years later an old Native American chief traveled to meet then General Washington and recounted leading warriors in that same battle over a council fire. He said his men had singled out the officers, and he personally had fired at the “tall and daring warrior” (Washington) 17 times, but every shot had missed. Convinced that Washington was under the special protection of the “Great Spirit,” the chief ordered his men to stop firing at him. He now had come to pay homage to the man who “could never die in battle.”
This event became legendary, boosting Washington’s reputation as the “Hero of Monongahela” and reinforcing his belief in Providence guiding his life. The story was widely told in early American history books and later popularized in works like David Barton’s “The Bulletproof George Washington.” It fits into the broader narrative of Washington surviving multiple close calls (his hat was shot off in several other battles) while seemingly being protected for a greater purpose — to lead the American Revolution and become our first President.
Washington went on to lead American troops throughout the War for Independence and while our other founding fathers were risking their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor in defiance of our British oppressors, Washington was dodging bullets and leading his troops in armed combat against the enemy.
During our Bicentennial year of 1976, Congress posthumously promoted Washington in rank. During his service in the Revolutionary War, Washington had held the rank of Major General (two stars). Then during the John Adams administration he was promoted to Lieutenant General (three stars). Congress’s action in 1976, however, promoted Washington to the unique rank of General of the Armies of the United States. This title was created to give him eternal seniority, ensuring that no other U.S. military officer past or present could ever outrank him.
How appropriate, since Washington was said to be “First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen!”
Loren Lippincott represents Legislative District 34 in the Nebraska State Senate. Read his column in the Nance County Journal.