George Washington
1732-1799
George Washington was born on February 22, 1732 at Bridges Creek Virginia and died on December 14, 1799 at Mount Vernon, Virginia. Washington’s father died when he was eleven years old. He spent the next few years with his mother at ferry farm near Fredericksburg. When Washington was 20 he signed up for the military. His request was granted and he was given the position of major and was assigned to train soldiers. 24 year old Washington, as an aide for General Braddock barely survived an assault by Indians and French. Washington himself quoted of the battle, "I luckily escaped without a wound, though I had four bullets through my coat and two horses shot under me ..." After the battle Washington returned home. On January 26, 1759 Washington married Mrs. Martha Dandridge Custis. He was the stepfather of her two children, John "Jackie" Parke Custis and Martha "Patsy" Parke Custis. In the 1770’s the colonists started to get angry on the taxes that the British parliament was passing on them. There started to be talks of war. By the second continental congress, Washington started to wear his military uniform. On June 15, 1775 Washington was unanimously elected commander in chief of the United States. By the winter of 1778 Washington’s army was suffering horrible losses. They were short on supplies, Washington was nearly captured, and they were spending the winter at Valley Forge. The odds were against him. But soon the war came to an end when Washington and the French surrounded the British General Cornwallis at Yorktown. General Charles Cornwallis held out in the fort for 13 days before surrendering to Washington. After the war ended Washington was the most powerful person on earth. He could have made himself king, as a matter of fact Colonel Lewis Nicola suggested they set up a monarchy and Washington become king. Instead on December 4, 1783, Washington returned his commission as commander in chief to congress. Washington then returned home to Mount Vernon. For 5 years Washington enjoyed peace and comfort. Then in 1788 Washington is elected unanimously elected president of the United States. In 1793 close to the end of his first term Washington wanted to return home, but Thomas Jefferson and James Madison told convinced him to run for reelection. After his second term ended in 1797, Washington left power. He went home to resume life as a farmer. On December 12, 1799 Washington went out for his daily horse ride. That day was cold and wet and when Washington returned, ate dinner without changing his clothes. Washington developed a throat infection and died on December 14, 1799. Washington was given a military funeral on December 18, 1799. Napoleon ordered 10 days of mourning for Washington in France. "First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen"- Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee.
