Part 5 (1/1)

John Adaton's ress and one of his more severe detractors in later years Rather suhted prophet of independence, the cureon who spoke uncomfortable truths He later worried that when the history of the Aned to the role of spear carrier, while George Washi+ngton and Ben Franklin would be glorified as the real protagonists of the draton kept his ambition in check behind a modest, laconic personality, whereas Adams's ambition often seemed irrepressible

In 1807 John Adaly funny letter in which he listed the ”ten talents” that had propelled George Washi+ngton to fame in June 1775 The first four dealt with physical attributes-”a handsoraceful attitudes and movements”-traits that the short, rotund Adaton's extraordinary self-possession: ”He possessed the gift of silence” and ”He had great self-coton's extraordinary self-possession: ”He possessed the gift of silence” and ”He had great self-couarded nor silent, he would have been especially sensitive to these traits He also saw that Washi+ngton exertedtheinian, and ”Virginian geese are all swans” Since Adauarded nor silent, he would have been especially sensitive to these traits He also saw that Washi+ngton exertedtheinian, and ”Virginian geese are all swans”14 It also helped that Washi+ngton ealthy-alness to hazard histo which reat fortune” It also helped that Washi+ngton ealthy-alness to hazard histo which reat fortune”15 The ideology of the day claimed that property rendered a ton iy of the day claimed that property rendered a ton iton with other rivals for the top position-especially Horatio Gates and Charles Lee-one sees that he had superior presence, infinitely better judgravitas With nothing arrogant or bombastic in his nature, he had the perfect temperament for leadershi+p He was also born in North America, which was considered essential Endoith an enormous sense of responsibility, he inspired trust and confidence A man of the happyconservatism to the Revolution Smoothly methodical and solidly reliable, he seeentleate, wrote about Washi+ngton ”He is sensible, aates favored Washi+ngton as much for the absence of conspicuous weaknesses as for his ths Eliphalet Dyer of Connecticut captured Washi+ngton's steady presence: ”He see fellow, but sober, steady, and calton as much for the absence of conspicuous weaknesses as for his ths Eliphalet Dyer of Connecticut captured Washi+ngton's steady presence: ”He see fellow, but sober, steady, and calton's career was that he didn't seek power but let it come to him ”I did not solicit the command,” he later said, ”but accepted it after ton's career was that he didn't seek power but let it come to him ”I did not solicit the command,” he later said, ”but accepted it after much entreaty”18 No less iress, he was a veteran politician with sixteen years of experience as a burgess, ensuring that he would subordinate his seldoed them with such consummate skill that they often No less iress, he was a veteran politician with sixteen years of experience as a burgess, ensuring that he would subordinate his seldoed them with such consummate skill that they often seemed seemed to happen accidentally By 1775 he had a fine sense of power-how to gain it, how to keep it, hoield it to happen accidentally By 1775 he had a fine sense of power-how to gain it, how to keep it, hoield it

ON JUNE 14 the Congress officially took charge of the troops in Boston, giving birth to the Continental Arent need for a coates were so iton that his appointate wrote that day: ”Col Washi+ngton Washi+ngton has been pressed to take the supreme command of the American troops encamped at Roxbury and I believe will accept the appoint deeply impressed with the importance of that honorable trust and diffident of his own (superior) abilities” has been pressed to take the supreme command of the American troops encamped at Roxbury and I believe will accept the appoint deeply impressed with the importance of that honorable trust and diffident of his own (superior) abilities”19 The only serious competitor was Hancock, who had little out When John Adaton, the latter jumped up from his seat near the door and with ”his usual modesty darted into the library room,” recalled Adams The only serious competitor was Hancock, who had little out When John Adaton, the latter jumped up from his seat near the door and with ”his usual modesty darted into the library roo Ada satisfaction until Adaton instead-at which point the smile fled from his face ”Mortification and resentment were expressed as forcibly as his face could exhibit them,” Adams said ”Mr Hancock never loved me so well after this event as he had done before” Hancock watched with ston instead-at which point the smile fled from his face ”Mortification and resentment were expressed as forcibly as his face could exhibit them,” Adams said ”Mr Hancock never loved me so well after this event as he had done before”21 That Washi+ngton handled the ave proof of patent egotis That Washi+ngton handled the ave proof of patent egotis

The delegates deferred the final vote until the next day, when they passed a resolution ”that a general be appointed to command all the continental forces raised, or to be raised, for the defense of A debate, the only credible arguland troops deserved one of their own But with both John and Saton was the tailor-made compromise candidate ”In the meantime,” recollected John Adams, ”pains were taken out of doors to obtain a unanienerally so clearly in favor of Washi+ngton that the dissenting members were persuaded to withdraw their opposition” In the ensuing debate, the only credible arguland troops deserved one of their own But with both John and Saton was the tailor-made compromise candidate ”In the meantime,” recollected John Adams, ”pains were taken out of doors to obtain a unanienerally so clearly in favor of Washi+ngton that the dissenting members were persuaded to withdraw their opposition”23 Washi+ngton was nominated by Tho a long string of unaniton was nominated by Tho a long string of unaniton didn't learn of his appointress had adjourned for the day, and suddenly he encountered delegates who saluted hied forever He was feted by delegates at a midday dinner, with Thomas Jefferson, thirty-two, and Benjalasses in a postprandial toast to ”the Coton, deeply moved, sat there abashed As Benjaton ”rose from his seat and with some confusion thanked the company for the honor they did him The whole co This scene, so unexpected, was a solemn one A silence followed it, as if every heart was penetrated with the awful but great events which were to follow the use of the sword of liberty which had just been put into General Washi+ngton's hands by the unaniton devoted the evening to a coulations In his diary on that epochal day, Washi+ngton wrote si on a co to a coulations In his diary on that epochal day, Washi+ngton wrote si on a coton feared any show of unseeton feared any show of unsee, June 16, John Hancock officially announced that George Washi+ngton had been chosen ”General and Commander in Chief of the arton stood hu his reply There was to be no chest-thu from the new coood republican dreaded ”Mr President,” he said, ”tho[ugh] I ah honor done reat distress from a consciousness that my abilities and military experience may not be equal to the extensive and iress desire it, I will enter upon the momentous duty and exert every power I possess in their service and for the support of the glorious cause” Washi+ngton's speech was rife with disclai expectations ”But, lest some unlucky event should happen, unfavorable toit may be remember[e]d by every Gent[lema]n in the room that I this day declare, with the utmost sincerity, I do not think myself equal to the command I [aesture he had already practiced during the Braddock can-he waived the proposed salary of five hundred dollars a ress that as no pecuniary consideration could have tempted me to have accepted this arduous employment at the expense of my domestic ease and happi[ness], I do not wish to make any profit from it I will keep an exact account of e and that is all I desire” Washi+ngton stood hu his reply There was to be no chest-thu from the new coood republican dreaded ”Mr President,” he said, ”tho[ugh] I ah honor done reat distress from a consciousness that my abilities and military experience may not be equal to the extensive and iress desire it, I will enter upon the momentous duty and exert every power I possess in their service and for the support of the glorious cause” Washi+ngton's speech was rife with disclai expectations ”But, lest some unlucky event should happen, unfavorable toit may be remember[e]d by every Gent[lema]n in the room that I this day declare, with the utmost sincerity, I do not think myself equal to the command I [aesture he had already practiced during the Braddock can-he waived the proposed salary of five hundred dollars a ress that as no pecuniary consideration could have tempted me to have accepted this arduous employment at the expense of my domestic ease and happi[ness], I do not wish to make any profit from it I will keep an exact account of e and that is all I desire”27 Washi+ngton wanted to show that his entleates applauded his generosity As John Ada to entle his delicious retire his ease and hazarding all in the cause of his country”28 Jaenerosity behind Washi+ngton's renunciation of a salary: ”Financially, the distinction proved to be only a bookkeeping one, as he received in expenses what he would have received in salary” Jaenerosity behind Washi+ngton's renunciation of a salary: ”Financially, the distinction proved to be only a bookkeeping one, as he received in expenses what he would have received in salary”29 But Washi+ngton's gesture captured people's i new under the sun Even the London newspapers were thunderstruck, one writing that Washi+ngton ”is to attend to the hazardous duty allotted him from principle only A most noble example and worthy of iesture captured people's i new under the sun Even the London newspapers were thunderstruck, one writing that Washi+ngton ”is to attend to the hazardous duty allotted him from principle only A most noble example and worthy of iton's humility can be traced to political calculation, it also reflected his frank admission that he lacked the requisite experience to take on the British E moment for a man as such a bundle of confidence and insecurity Preoccupied, as always, with his sense of personal honor-his calling card as a gentlerace as well as failure When he ran into Patrick Henry after his appoint ”Remember, Mr Henry, what I now tell you: from the day I enter upon the command of the American armies, I date my fall, and the ruin of ton's eyes were full of tears-one ofeton's eyes were full of tears-one ofeton was haunted by the uncertain fate of his wife, ould be left alone and et of British raids In the wake of Patsy's death and Jacky's wedding, Martha Washi+ngton was already in a lonely, vulnerable state of ht knock the eton couldn't bring himself to write to her Then on June 18 he sat doith trepidation to inform her of his extraordinary appointment: My Dearest, I am now set down to write to you on a subject which fills ravated and increased when I reflect on the uneasiness I knoill give youYou may believe mewhen I assure you in thethis appointment, I have used every endeavor in ness to part with you and the fareat for my capacityit has been a kind of destiny that has thrown me upon this serviceit was utterly out ofmy character to such censures as would have reflected dishonor upon iven pain to ton's papers note that twenty years earlier Washi+ngton hadto hishis participation in the French and Indian War But in this letter, even as he told Martha to sued to the fore ”I shall feel no pain fron,” he told her ”My unhappiness will flow fro left alone”33 He wondered whether shewith close friends Itto Martha, who had already lost one husband, to learn that Washi+ngton had asked Edmund Pendleton to draft a neill for hiht feel safer in Alexandria or staying with close friends Itto Martha, who had already lost one husband, to learn that Washi+ngton had asked Edmund Pendleton to draft a neill for him

For many years Martha's attachton, but he now found solace in the thought that Jacky ht care for her On June 19 he inforreat concern upon this occasion is the thoughts of leaving your mother under the uneasiness which I know this affair will throw her into” He asked Jacky if he and his bride Nelly could stay full time at Mount Vernon, ”when I think it absolutely necessary for the peace and satisfaction of your ton wrote to his brother-in-law, Burwell Bassett, and inquired whether he and Martha's sister, Anna Maria, could visit Mount Vernon or take Martha into their hoh he had assured Martha that he would ”return safe to you in the fall,” he now told Bassett,till winter and feel great uneasiness at [Martha's] lonesoton wrote to his brother-in-law, Burwell Bassett, and inquired whether he and Martha's sister, Anna Maria, could visit Mount Vernon or take Martha into their hoh he had assured Martha that he would ”return safe to you in the fall,” he now told Bassett,till winter and feel great uneasiness at [Martha's] lonesoed his Mount Vernon coach for his riding horses as he traded peacetiain he expressed his inadequacy for the job ”I can answer but for three things: a firm belief in the justice of our cause; close attention in the prosecution of it; and the strictest integrity If these cannot supply the places of ability and experience, the cause will suffer” Washi+ngton noted that he had exchanged his Mount Vernon coach for his riding horses as he traded peacetiain he expressed his inadequacy for the job ”I can answer but for three things: a firm belief in the justice of our cause; close attention in the prosecution of it; and the strictest integrity If these cannot supply the places of ability and experience, the cause will suffer”36

BEFORE LEAVING FOR BOSTON, Washi+ngton gathered the stage props for his coht five horses and a handsoe, called a phaeton, the first charges to his expense account He collected five books on y To spruce up his military apparel, he covered his black leather pistol holders with rich fabric, enhancing their beauty In all likelihood, he employed the same red and white colors for this upholstery as he used for the servants' livery at Mount Vernon Washi+ngton also ordered a new unifor decided to retain for the Continental Army the colors of the Fairfax Independent Co of ”a blue coat with yellow buttons and gold epaulettes (each having three silver stars)in winter, buff vest and breeches; in sumton was named commander in chief, he found himself in an anomalous situation: he was the only person officially on the rolls of the Continental Army; technically, he had been chosen to ht an undeclared war Nevertheless he began to asseht team of personal aides he would refer to as his ton would develop intience and sensibility En route to Boston, he was escorted by Joseph Reed of Philadelphia, a Trenton native educated at Princeton and trained in law at the Middle Te, Reed had a long face with blue eyes and a kindly expression John Adams praised him as ”very sensible,” ”aton's eneral's spell and couldn't resist his insistence that he stay on as his secretary As Reed reton had ”expressed hiht myself bound by every tie of duty and honor to coh the sea of difficulties” As a ton's eneral's spell and couldn't resist his insistence that he stay on as his secretary As Reed reton had ”expressed hiht myself bound by every tie of duty and honor to coh the sea of difficulties”39 For his first aide-de-ca Philadelphian, Thoress with a broad, handsohtly and spirited speaker” with a reputation for being teton chose another young Philadelphian, Thoress with a broad, handsohtly and spirited speaker” with a reputation for being te Philadelphians froton showed partiality for ness to surround hihly educated than he was In opting for two young Philadelphians froton showed partiality for ness to surround hihly educated than he was

The generals that the Congress picked to support Washi+ngton reflected the saraphic diversity that had shaped Washi+ngton's own appoint to political realities, it chose the burly Arteeneral; Ward would never wared by hieneral with the rank of brigadier Washi+ngton ade of h post, but he would shortly revise this opinion ”I discovered very early in the war symptoms of coldness and constraint in General Gates' behavior to reater consequence”41 The next ress was Charles Lee He too had been recoain would live to rue the choice Washi+ngton credited Lee as ”the first officer in e and experience we have in the whole army,” but he also saw that he was ”rather fickle and violent, I fear, in his teress was Charles Lee He too had been recoain would live to rue the choice Washi+ngton credited Lee as ”the first officer in e and experience we have in the whole army,” but he also saw that he was ”rather fickle and violent, I fear, in his teeneral was the patrician Philip Schuyler, a wealthy landlord with extensive holdings along the Hudson River A lo-Dutch aristocracy of New York, he had a bulbous red nose, a raspy voice, and a frosty attitude toward his social inferiors Finally there was the colorful, rough-hewn farmer from Connecticut, the deep-chested Israel Putna nickname ”Old Put” Scarred, weather-beaten, and poorly educated, he was popular a his soldiers It was said of the suspicious Putnam that he always slept with one eye open At Bunker Hill he had supposedly uttered the famous words, ”Don't fire, boys, until you see the whites of their eyes” Another eneral was the patrician Philip Schuyler, a wealthy landlord with extensive holdings along the Hudson River A lo-Dutch aristocracy of New York, he had a bulbous red nose, a raspy voice, and a frosty attitude toward his social inferiors Finally there was the colorful, rough-hewn farmer from Connecticut, the deep-chested Israel Putna nickname ”Old Put” Scarred, weather-beaten, and poorly educated, he was popular a his soldiers It was said of the suspicious Putnam that he always slept with one eye open At Bunker Hill he had supposedly uttered the famous words, ”Don't fire, boys, until you see the whites of their eyes”43 Silas Deane said with ad” except fighting Silas Deane said with ad” except fighting44 Washi+ngton's final hours in Philadelphia were long and frantic ones When, on June 20, he sent a farewell note to officers of the five Virginia militias he had commanded, he sounded as if he tottered a bit under the stress ”I have launched into a wide and extensive field too boundless for my abilities and far, very far beyondout for Boston on June 23, he dashed off a quick, reassuringher that ”I retain an unalterable affection for you, which neither ti out for Boston on June 23, he dashed off a quick, reassuringher that ”I retain an unalterable affection for you, which neither titon received a festive send-off from the Philadelphia populace Accompanied by Charles Lee and Philip Schuyler, he was ready to mount his horse when Thomas Mifflin sprinted out, bent down, and held out the stirrup for him-a small courtesy that drew a vast ovation froresses to bid farewell to the revolutionary warrior Washi+ngton brought along his versatile manservant, Billy Lee, ould enter fully into the fervent earrulous old veteran in later years, he would talk as if he had been a full-fledged member of the Continental Army, not a slave forcibly drafted into service Nevertheless Lee and another slave named John wore not the blue and buff of the Continental Arton livery When John Trumbull later painted Lee, he depicted him as dark-skinned and round-cheeked in an exotic red turban A skillful horsehout the war, a powerful sy the war, in a striking ton would personally order clothing for Lee

As he rode north, Washi+ngton ventured into terra incognita With little talent for impromptu speeches, he was ill equipped for his sudden celebrity Nonetheless, upon encountering large throngs in New York City, he displayed a touch of pure showht purple sash In a city violently torn between Loyalists and patriots, Washi+ngton's hosts worried that he overnor, Willialand that saton crossed the Hudson at Hoboken and arrived at four PM near present-day Canal Street, then well north of the town Met by a ation froot a vivid gli masses who counted on him for deliverance The entire town, it seemed, had emptied out to receive hireater number of the principal inhabitants” had appeared than on any previous occasion47 Washi+ngton hisked to the country estate of Leonard Lispenard In a sign of the fluid political situation, soton then ht o'clock that evening, causing Loyalist Thomas Jones to bellow, ”What a farce! What cursed hypocrisy!” Washi+ngton hisked to the country estate of Leonard Lispenard In a sign of the fluid political situation, soton then ht o'clock that evening, causing Loyalist Thomas Jones to bellow, ”What a farce! What cursed hypocrisy!”48 In another strange sign of this transitional period, Washi+ngton drank in the huzzahs of the n of this transitional period, Washi+ngton drank in the huzzahs of the un British warshi+p, lay at anchor off the Battery, not far froun British warshi+p, lay at anchor off the Battery, not far from where he was

At the Lispenard ent dispatch froh the sealed coton thought it prudent to open it in case it contained timely news His instinct was correct: the dispatch reported that on June 17 more than two thousand British troops, led by General William Howe, had stor an American retreat (The battle was incorrectly labeled Bunker Hill) Intent upon inflicting maximum terror on supposedly as of Charlestown, leaving the obliterated town a s ruin Bunker Hill proved a Pyrrhic victory, for the British registered more than a thousand casualties Arit but excellentat officers was then considered a shocking breach of military etiquette The A the death of Major General Joseph Warren Even while it dented British confidence, the Battle of Bunker Hill stirred patriotic spirits, exposing the first chinks in the British fighting reen Aht British professionals As the British reeled, a stunned General Howe adton recognized that the British had been chastened-”a few more such victories woul[d] put an end to their army,” he wryly told his brother Sam-but he insisted that the battle was a nized that the British had been chastened-”a few more such victories woul[d] put an end to their army,” he wryly told his brother Sam-but he insisted that the battle was a missed opportunity50 If the ulars would have met with a shameful defeat” If the ulars would have met with a shameful defeat”51 At the same ti back to Bunker Hill and hoping to recapitulate the terrific beating inflicted on the startled British At the same ti back to Bunker Hill and hoping to recapitulate the terrific beating inflicted on the startled British

Though Washi+ngton yearned to be off to Boston, ress wanted to address hier It was the start of the interminable ceremonies that would be the bane of his public life Already tired fro precious time, he instructed his assistants to be ready to leave the instant the ton sounded a conciliatory the to apply his efforts to the restoration ”of peace and harmony between the mother [country and the] colonies”52 He minted a beautiful phrase thathis listeners: ”When we assumed the soldier, we did not lay aside the citizen” He minted a beautiful phrase thathis listeners: ”When we assumed the soldier, we did not lay aside the citizen”53 The citizen-soldier passed this first test of his political skills with flying colors Gifted with perfect pitch, he kne to talk the language of peace even as he girded for war The citizen-soldier passed this first test of his political skills with flying colors Gifted with perfect pitch, he kne to talk the language of peace even as he girded for war

As Washi+ngton and his party pushed northward, hishim in Boston A decade later he admitted that he wasn't sufficiently ”at ease” to observe closely the countryside through which he passed54 He felt beleaguered by the social duties thrust upon hi succession of towns and endured ritual greetings fro citizens He was already swaan to address hial locution for a revolutionary leader George Washi+ngton was already beco more than a mere man: he was the face and form of an amorphous cause As Garry Wills has noted, ”Before there was a nation-before there was any sy, a Constitution, a national seal)-there was Washi+ngton” He felt beleaguered by the social duties thrust upon hi succession of towns and endured ritual greetings fro citizens He was already swaan to address hial locution for a revolutionary leader George Washi+ngton was already beco more than a mere man: he was the face and form of an amorphous cause As Garry Wills has noted, ”Before there was a nation-before there was any sy, a Constitution, a national seal)-there was Washi+ngton”55 Knowing that people wished to see hiton would step down fro a town, turning it into a theatrical perfor that people wished to see hiton would step down fro a town, turning it into a theatrical perfore, Massachusetts, to assue to Boston and the land took the Sabbath seriously, and Washi+ngton respected religious observance, so on this historic day the stately Virginian ling troops that had lined up on the parade ground to be inspected were dis rain spoiled the reception, but Washi+ngton and Lee didThe rain screened any clear view of the British troops in the distance Nevertheless, in taking up his duties, George Washi+ngton had crossed the threshold into a new life

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Magnificent Bluff ALTHOUGH GEORGE WAshi+NGTON had never attended college and regretted his lack of education, he e president Sale rooton en enerals Arteton had transferred to grander quarters on Brattle Street, occupying the three-story Georgian mansion of John Vassall, a rich Tory who had fled behind British lines in besieged Boston The Vassalls had owned a slave faton toured his new headquarters, he found a slave boy, Darby Vassall, swinging on the front gate In a friendlyhim into his service, but Darby, imbued with the spirit of liberty, asked what his pay would be At that interjection, Washi+ngton evidently lost interest ”General Washi+ngton was no gentlees”1 By the titon and Charles Lee reviewed troops on the parade ground on July 3, the overcast skies had cleared and an effervescent mood filled the air Twenty-one druenerals to a full land soldiers While so tomahawks and knives lashed to poles Despite these handicaps, Washi+ngton hoped the patriots could hteen thousand men-at least, if one included the sick and absent-and enjoy a numerical superiority over British forces of no ton and Lee toured lengthy defensive fortifications being thrown up pell-mell to deter a British attack, they viewed the eerie reality of two ar panoramic, unobstructed views of each other It was easy toon Bunker Hill With soton told Richard Henry Lee that the British and Ah to converse”2 To Washi+ngton, it seemed that both sides had settled into an uneasy standoff To Washi+ngton, it seemed that both sides had settled into an uneasy standoff

On July 4 the Congress formally incorporated the state ton to issue general orders that would sound the signature theton differed frooverned the Virginia Regiment and was narrowly absorbed in his career Froh ideals He tried to dissolve state differences into a new national identity, telling hisraised from various colonies were ”now the troops of the United Provinces of North America and it is hoped that all distinctions of colonies will be laid aside”3 Always buffed and polished, with an elegant sword strapped to his side and silver spurs on his boots, Washi+ngton roamed all over the camp ”His Excellency was on horseback, in coentlemen,” Dr Jauish him from the others; his personal appearance is truly noble and majestic”4 A local diarist, Ezekiel Price, picked up reports on July 5 that ”General Washi+ngton had visited the camps, and the soldiers were much pleased with him” A local diarist, Ezekiel Price, picked up reports on July 5 that ”General Washi+ngton had visited the camps, and the soldiers were ton rose at sunup to ride about the ca spirits with his presence Suddenly rejuvenated troops were happily digging trenches at four in thein the caularity,” said an impressed chaplain ”New lords, nes” As at Mount Vernon, Washi+ngton rose at sunup to ride about the ca spirits with his presence Suddenly rejuvenated troops were happily digging trenches at four in thein the caularity,” said an impressed chaplain ”New lords, nes”6 A beefy former bookseller froton's panache: ”General Washi+ngton fills his place with vast ease and dignity and dispenses happiness around him” A beefy former bookseller froton's panache: ”General Washi+ngton fills his place with vast ease and dignity and dispenses happiness around him”7 An enthusiastic friend reported to John Adaton ”has in a manner inspired officers and soldiers with a taste for discipline and they go into it readily, as they all venerate and love the general” An enthusiastic friend reported to John Adaton ”has in a manner inspired officers and soldiers with a taste for discipline and they go into it readily, as they all venerate and love the general”8 His Excellency also left the ladies agog ”You had prepared ton,” Abigail Adaht the half was not told entlereeably blended in hi ”You had prepared ton,” Abigail Adaht the half was not told entlereeably blended in hiton, as a newcoinia, confronted pervasive Yankee suspicions, and he, in turn, was inwardly revolted by the alien world he surveyed daily in Cae With little tolerance for error and scant patience for disorder, he was surrounded by an unruly, vociferous mass of men who didn't take well to orders At this point, he never dreae or that he would grow to love them Soon he squawked to his brother Sam that he had ”found a numerous army of provincials under very little command, discipline, or order”10 Twohis letter, he protested to John Hancock that ”licentious-ness and every kind of disorder triu his letter, he protested to John Hancock that ”licentious-ness and every kind of disorder triue Washi+ngton's breast One was the political ton thought his troops would fight better if motivated by patriotic ideals The other, schooled in the British military system, believed devoutly in top-down discipline and rank as necessary to a well-run arinia planter who felt little in common with the scruffy plebeians around hiton's breast One was the political ton thought his troops would fight better if motivated by patriotic ideals The other, schooled in the British military system, believed devoutly in top-down discipline and rank as necessary to a well-run arinia planter who felt little in common with the scruffy plebeians around hilandfaralitarian officers fraternized with their ave theinian that the Massachusetts officers ”are nearly nearly of the same kidney with the privates” of the saton worried aloud about ”the soldier and officer being too nearly on a level Discipline and subordination add life and vigor to ton worried aloud about ”the soldier and officer being too nearly on a level Discipline and subordination add life and vigor to ton had an old-fashi+oned faith in military hierarchy as likely to produce the most efficient army He often evinced a partiality for wellborn officers, as if he wanted to transfer the hierarchy of civilian life intact into the ar officers, ”The first ruleis to deterentleenuine sense of honor and a reputation to risk” In part, Washi+ngton had an old-fashi+oned faith in military hierarchy as likely to produce the most efficient army He often evinced a partiality for wellborn officers, as if he wanted to transfer the hierarchy of civilian life intact into the ar officers, ”The first ruleis to deterentleenuine sense of honor and a reputation to risk”14 At one point, while arguing for better pay for officers, Washi+ngton warned John Hancock that only such a e and till the bulk of your officers are composed of such personsyou have little to expect of the for better pay for officers, Washi+ngton warned John Hancock that only such a e and till the bulk of your officers are composed of such personsyou have little to expect of theton theoretically preferred having his social peers as fellow officers, however, he would co officers who lacked such pedigrees Howeverhis social peers as fellow officers, however, he would co officers who lacked such pedigrees

During his first e, to differentiate the arton ordered field officers to sport red or pink cockades in their hats, captains yellow or buff, and subordinate officers green It upset Washi+ngton when sentinels stopped generals because they didn't recognize theht blue sash for hireen one for his aides-de-ca the war that he eressed ”His uniform is exactly like that of his soldiers,” a French officer noted four years later ”Formerly, on solee blue sash, but he has given up that unrepublican distinction”16 Even as he introduced distinctions between officers and theirthe states to forge a national are, there was no ar aA fervent nationalist, Washi+ngton wanted to eliraphy at a tiestion that was proes of this war, I used every means in my power to destroy all kind of state distinctions and labored to have every part and parcel of the are of wool, once iton planned to issue ten thousand linen hunting shi+rts, such as those used in the French and Indian War, creating a h tow cloth, and he had to settle for the ton also argued futilely that the Congress should appoint officers instead of provisional governments This proposal was vetoed since it clashed with republican ideology, which ro arhout the war Because of a shortage of wool, once iton planned to issue ten thousand linen hunting shi+rts, such as those used in the French and Indian War, creating a h tow cloth, and he had to settle for the ton also argued futilely that the Congress should appoint officers instead of provisional governments This proposal was vetoed since it clashed with republican ideology, which ro arhout the war

nobody would have found the camp's vile sanitary conditions ton The open latrines ee to coax soldiers into using them One orderly book complained that they left ”excre experienced firsthand the epideed officers to keep theirin freshwater ponds, ”as therethe s experienced firsthand the epideed officers to keep theirin freshwater ponds, ”as therethe ston must also have recoiled at the queer collection of is, the Reverend William Emerson said, ”Some are made of boards, some of sail-cloth, and some partly of one and partly of the other Others are ain of birch and other brushothers are curiously wrought with doors and s done reathsin the ton must also have recoiled at the queer collection of is, the Reverend William Emerson said, ”Some are made of boards, some of sail-cloth, and some partly of one and partly of the other Others are ain of birch and other brushothers are curiously wrought with doors and s done reathsin thewater, and their filthy, tattered appearance excited disgust a Loyalist Benjaton's army was ”the most wretchedly clothed, and as dirty a set of raced the na water, and their filthy, tattered appearance excited disgust a Loyalist Benjaton's army was ”the most wretchedly clothed, and as dirty a set of raced the na having been slashed at Bunker Hill Sroaned that his life was ”one continued round of So been slashed at Bunker Hill Sroaned that his life was ”one continued round of annoyance annoyance and and fatigue fatigue”22 Maintaining unity ale In late July the New England troops were startled by the arrival of a rustic contingent of Virginia rifleed six hundred er than muskets and could be fired with far er to load in combat Army cook Israel Trask remembered how soldiers from Marblehead, Massachusetts, outfitted in round jackets and fishered linen shi+rts, leggings, and toinians toured Harvard College, the Marblehead soldiers began to taunt and toss soballs at thele co on the one part, and knockdown on the other part with as much apparent fury as the most deadly enemy could create Reinforced by their friends, in less than five minutes,for the ton n I never knew I only saw him and his colored servant [Billy Lee], bothof a deer, he leaped from his saddle, threw the reins of his bridle into the hands of his servant, and rushed into the thickest of the rip seized two tall, brawny, athletic, savage-looking rifleth, alternately shaking and talking to theht of the general Its effect on theht at the top of their speed in all directions from the scene of the conflict Less than fifteen minutes tieneral and his two criminals were the only occupants of the field of action Here bloodshed, imprisonment, trials by court-s between the different corps of the aries timely exerted by one individual23 One notes hoiftly the fearless Washi+ngton displayed derring-do In dealing with trouble them ride the wooden horse, an ordeal in which the offender sat on the sharp wooden rail of a sawhorse, his hands bound behind his back and heavy weights anchored to his feet to heighten the pain One also notes in the anecdote the conspicuous presence of Billy Lee, who rehout the Revolution

As Washi+ngton examined his army with care, he was dismayed to find no more than 14,500Yankees he had expected to find This, the first of many unpleasant surprises,to a th he didn't possess In confidence, he told Jaress, ”Your own prudence will suggest the necessity of secrecy on this subject, as we have the utreater than they are-an error which is not [in] our interest to reton had taken away one lesson from the French and Indian War, it was the need for a compact defense It therefore irked him that he had to maintain a vast defensive periht or nine ical blow if he retreated from fortifications so laboriously constructed He also had to contend with a grave gunpowder shortage At first he was told that he had 308 barrels of powder, only to learn froadier General John Sullivan that the actual number was 36, a risible nine rounds per ton, Sullivan recalled, the general ”did not utter a word for half an hour”25 Washi+ngton realized how easily his arhtly ly frazzled and careworn ”I pity our good general,” wrote one observer, ”who has a greater burden on his shoulders and le with than I think should fall to the share of so good a ton realized how easily his arhtly ly frazzled and careworn ”I pity our good general,” wrote one observer, ”who has a greater burden on his shoulders and le with than I think should fall to the share of so good a ton was thrust into a terrible dile the deficiencies of men, munitions, and supplies, but that would alert the enemy to his weaknesses He had to s his doubts and appear the picture of confidence, ht-lipped in his public pronouncements, if more vehement in private An accoift of silence” that John Adaths For the rest of his life, Washi+ngton remained the prisoner of roles that forced hi an already reticent personality His reserve was further reinforced by a view of ail Adanity which forbids familiarity, mixed with an easy affability which creates love and reverence”27 Washi+ngton's officers adnity of his presence,” wrote Tie and rave countenance and an unusual share of reserve, forbidding all familiarity, excited no little reverence in his presence” Washi+ngton's officers adnity of his presence,” wrote Tie and rave countenance and an unusual share of reserve, forbidding all familiarity, excited no little reverence in his presence”28 Washi+ngton's public role threw up an invisible barrier that prevented true intimacy with all but a select handful of friends and faton's public role threw up an invisible barrier that prevented true intimacy with all but a select handful of friends and family members

HAVING HAD FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCE with shted in his efforts to steh inoculation By the tie, General Ward had established a smallpox hospital in a secluded spot west of town and ordered daily inspections of his ainst this ton vowed to Hancock, and he diligently quarantined soldiers who exhibited the first signs of the disease29 In the fall of 1775, when srew alarht be spread to his own men ”The smallpox is in every part of Boston,” he informed Joseph Reed in mid-December ”The soldiers there who have never had it are, we are told, under inoculationIf we escape the smallpox in this camp and the country round about, it will be miraculous”30 When General Howe herded 300 destitute Bostonians, riddled with disease, onto boats and duton feared that they carried smallpox; he sent the them from his troops After a second wave of 150 sickly Bostonians was expelled, Washi+ngton grew convinced that Howe had stooped to using sainst his army When General Howe herded 300 destitute Bostonians, riddled with disease, onto boats and duton feared that they carried smallpox; he sent the them from his troops After a second wave of 150 sickly Bostonians was expelled, Washi+ngton grew convinced that Howe had stooped to using sainst his army31 By January 1777 he ordered Dr William shi+ppen to inoculate every soldier who had never had the disease ”Necessity not only authorizes but seems to require the measure,” he wrote, ”for should the disorder infect the are with its usual virulence, we should have more to dread from it than the sword of the enemy” By January 1777 he ordered Dr William shi+ppen to inoculate every soldier who had never had the disease ”Necessity not only authorizes but seems to require the measure,” he wrote, ”for should the disorder infect the are with its usual virulence, we should have more to dread frohtened decision was as i the war This enlightened decision was as i the war

Meanwhile, in early August 1775, Washi+ngton grappled with the grave problee To protect his troops, he circulated the fiction that he possessed eighteen hundred barrels of powder-an early Aiving the go-ahead to a Rhode Island plan to send shi+ps to the Caribbean in order to seize powder stored in Bermuda, he noted that ”enterprises which appear chimerical” often succeed because they are unexpected33 This stateton's -his belief that wildly audacious moves sometimes work because they seem too preposterous for the enee had already reunpowder as a precaution This stateton's -his belief that wildly audacious moves sometimes work because they seem too preposterous for the enee had already reunpowder as a precaution

Washi+ngton considered his arunpowder such a ”profound secret” that, in early August, he would divulge it in person only to the speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, not trusting the entire legislature with the news34 Secrecy and deception were fast beco to the depletion of gunpoas the antic behavior of the trigger-happy Virginia rifle the whole ca the real reason for his concern, Washi+ngton issued this general order: ”It is with indignation and sha the repeated orders which have been given to prevent the firing of guns in and about campit is daily and hourly practiced” Secrecy and deception were fast beco to the depletion of gunpoas the antic behavior of the trigger-happy Virginia rifle the whole ca the real reason for his concern, Washi+ngton issued this general order: ”It is with indignation and sha the repeated orders which have been given to prevent the firing of guns in and about canificent bluff: Washi+ngton made it sound as if he were irate only at insubordination, not at the waste of precious aton made it sound as if he were irate only at insubordination, not at the waste of precious aton conducted a revealing exchange of letters with General Gage Upon hearing that the British had taken American officers captured at Bunker Hill and clapped theton flew into a rage He was furious that A led