George Washington's First War: His Early Military Adventures

by David A. Clary

“I heard the bullets whistle, and, believe me, there is something charming in the sound.” So said the young George Washington, something no veteran soldier would say. He had not been the target of enemy fire. Instead, he was papering over the fact that his men and Indian allies had just massacred a diplomatic party, setting off the French and Indian War of 1754–63. He had violated international law, something else he would not admit. Washington could, after all, tell a lie. That is but one revelation that acclaimed military historian and Washington expert David A. Clary offers in George Washington’s First War . Washington spent his adolescence in military service, starting as a colonel in command at the age of twenty-two. He came from a society without a military tradition, and had no training or battle-wise sergeants to keep him out of trouble. He was a young glory hound thrust into circumstances he was not prepared to handle by elders who should have known better. Leading reluctant amateur soldiers against French professionals, when he took command he was on his own. Accordingly, Washington survived a five-year ordeal unlike that endured by any other Founding Father. He emerged from it not yet the steady supreme commander of the Revolution, but he had started on the road that led him to become the great soldier and statesman of his age. How he began his life’s journey is what George Washington’s First War is about. It is a dramatic story of frontier warfare played out against the anxieties and resentments of an ambitious adolescent. Here are accounts of harrowing ordeals in the wilderness, the decisive part played by the Indian nations whose continent this was, and the epic clash of empires. Others have looked at Washington’s activities during the French and Indian War without recognizing that he played his part in that history during his painful transition from boy to man. His repeated blunders and defeats arose from his youthful impetuosity and inexperience and weak support from his government. Clary has a sound understanding of eighteenth-century wilderness warfare, and his descriptions of battles are vivid, exciting, and laced with horrifying details. Brought to dramatic life are Washington’s harrowing wintertime journey into the wilderness to order the French to leave the territory, the Jumonville Massacre, his bloody defeat at Fort Necessity, his heroism at the Battle of the Monongahela (Braddock’s Defeat), his years of frustration commanding the Virginia Regiment, the Forbes Expedition of 1758, his insubordination to civil and military superiors, and his resignation from the army. A revealing portrait of Washington during a crucial, formative period of his life, this is the indispensable backstory to the making of a great man.

Genres: History, American Revolution, American History, Biography

384 pages, Hardcover

First published January 7, 2011

Reviews

[Glen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that tells of George Washington's experiences as a surveyor, and in the French and Indian War, and how it helped make him into the model general and politician he became. I think Clary tries to puncture the Washington myth, but fails, his bullet bouncing off the invincible shield of legend.

Very interesting, and it has a section of pictures.

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

There may be several reasons why this book only gets 4 stars, even though it probably deserves five. One might be that I read it right after finals, so it was a little bit too "fact-y" and educational than I would have liked at the time - though that is undoubtedly one of the book's most wonderful attributes; it is astonishly well researched and documented. Very few books about Washington focus on his early years, how he went without much fatherly guidance (as well as fatherly wallopings on the behind for his insolent and childish behavior). This book does a great job of exposing the older, sage, and revered Washington for what he was as a child: simply, a child.

The second reason why I probably only gave it four stars is that like everyone else (I'm assuming here), I think of Washington the way Washington meant for every other human being to think of him, namely, as a Founding Father, a hero, a general who saved America from the iron grasp of the British Empire, the president who could do no wrong. It is well-known that Washington, from a very young age, cultivated his own reputation, even going so far as to later re-write some of his own correspondence to better illustrate what he thought he should have written at the time. As such, it was somewhat difficult to read about the insolent, petulant, often insubordinate, teenage military commander that Washington was. Docking one star, therefore, is purely a selfish gesture, as it really bears no reflection on the substance or style of the book.

Ultimately, I think everyone should read this book. It would be a triusm to say that a person cannot be old and wise before being young and stupid (or foolish, or ignorant, or arrogant, or your-particular-adjective-here). And it is infinitely to Clary's -- and Washington's -- credit that he so well illuminates the foundational years of Washington's life that enabled him to be that for which he is revered: "first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen."

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book of this authors that I have read. I like his style a lot. Unusually, he injects a certain dry sense of humor into relating what he has to say. Also, his research included a fair amount of original source French documentation that wasn't available to the earlier (Parkman, Anderson, etc) writers on George Washington's role in the F&I War. As an F&I re-enactor myself, I can attest that very few authors can put you in the camps, along the trails, or on the battlefields the way that David Clary does. I definitely look forward to reading more of his work.

[Bill Nestor · Rating 5 out of 5]

He's Human!!! This excellent study sheds quite a lot of light on Washington that I had not known. It covers the French & Indian War & Washington's role in it. He was tasked by the British Lt. Gov of Virginia Robert Dinwiddie to go to "The Forks" as the current day Pittsburgh was then known. He was to take a message to the French forces that they were encroaching on territory the British claimed as their own. Instead he triggered a world war. He met up with a french contingent at Jumonville's Glen, PA. and the French were on their way to tell British representatives the same thing. The facts differ as to who started shooting but the french were slaughtered, and Washington was responsible.
Following the engagement the author traces Washington's actions during the course of the war. He desperately sought a commission in the British Army & was not above dare I say......kissing butt to get it. We see Washington as he curries favor with anyone who can help him, while at the same time downplaying his faults and mistakes ( of which there were many). As the war progressed he was in charge of Virginia forces on the "frontier" what is now northwest Virginia. He did more.....much more than his share of complaining about conditions he faced. Lets say that Virginia was not supportive of the troops in service to it.
Washington carps to the point of distraction about how hard he has it ( and his men as well).
When Gen'l Forbes is detailed by the British government to take Ft. Duquense from the french Washington tires talking the Brits into using the road cut in 1755 by Edward Braddock's forces when he tried to do the same and failed.
What Washington was really trying to do was protect his & Virginia's claims to the Ohio country. It was felt by the Virginia interests that Braddock's Road, which ultimately started in Alexandria VA was to be the true path that opened the Ohio Valley to settlement. Forbes on the other hand wished to cut a new road westward through Pennsylvania. Washington played the part of obstructionist to the Forbes Expedition until it was obvious the British had decided on the Pennsylvania route. Then & only then did Washington go along with the decision.
This book show's Washington as he was in the 1750's: immature, self centered, anything but a team player, and duplicitous (the goal of protecting Virginia's interest about the Ohio Valley vs. the needs of the British army).I came away from this book wondering why he was not cashiered by the British. I didn't like him very much until I reminded myself he was young..in his early 20's.
In short this book show's Washington as he was in his 20's, and a stark contrast to what he was during the revolution.
Definitely a worthy addition to your reading list if you like colonial history.

[Mark Luongo · Rating 3 out of 5]

The inexperience of youth and the hard lessons it teaches are the crux of what this book is about. Washington's service as a young 20 something showed him that a military career, service in command in particular, can and is difficult. His, at times, inability to cope with governors, generals, subordinates and enlisted all taught him that war was a hard trade to learn. He learned not to underestimate one's enemy, whether they be Indian, French, British or fellow Virginian. He learned the importance of intelligence to military and political matters. As to his bravery he said it best, "I heard the bullets whistle, and, believe me, there is something charming in the sound."
That he persevered is a testament to his determination, devotion to duty (and his home colony of Virginia) and ambition. Lessons that would proved useful come the day when he took command of the Continental Army in 1775.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an informative history of Washington's formative years. Like most, I knew a bit about Braddock Road and Ft Necessity, but less about the later Ft Duquesne campaign. It is interesting to read about his early youthful mistakes but growing maturity of command. Its heavily based on correspondence which seems to be dominated by letters begging politicians and officers for more resources, and finding excuses for failures. Does not have nearly as much in the way of personal letters, but the book is about life in the midst of war, so that makes sense. A good read.

[Ray Almeida · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good book that I felt illustrated the life of Washington before he was President. It didn't try too much to sanitize history for the sake of venerating Washington. He was a young man once who made mistakes and had bouts of immaturity as we all do. He had weaknesses and vanities that followed him to the grave. I particularly enjoyed the interaction between Governor Dinwiddie and Washington, with how that relationship changed over the years. A very educational read.

[Leo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found this to be a interesting look at George Washington life, especially an area where I rarely hear anything about. But for enjoyment vise this was sometimes rather boring and I didn't have my usual curiosity excitement while reading this. But it's a well structured book with a lot to say.

[Mary Mladinich-Spain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most of this book consists of direct quotes from his diaries which were written in 1700's writing style. Personally, it's not a writing style I'm accustomed to reading, but I'm glad to have taken the time to read this book.

[John Bolliver · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much detail. Reminded me why I don’t like history books

[Jerome Otte · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-written, informative, and unflattering book on Washington’s service during the French and Indian War. Clary shows what lessons Washington took from his experience, and also how ambitious and vain Washington was during this time period. Clay argues that Washington's superiors made a mistake in hampering Washington with so much responsibility when they should have known better. Washington’s “adolescent outlook,” Clary writes, explains “his tendency to shade the truth and pass responsibility for failures on to others.”

If you’re familiar with the story, much of this won’t be new; Washington’s diplomatic mission to the French in the Ohio, his construction of Fort Necessity, and his surrender and retreat. Afterwards, of course, Washington was assigned to Braddock’s expedition after relentless lobbying. Clay covers these in vivid detail, and like many historians covering these events, Clary is critical of Washington’s motives and intentions; Washington, despite an extraordinary rise in rank, often proved to be his own worst enemy; he overreacted to failures, blamed his men for his own mistakes, and lashed out at his critics. He also engaged in schemes to further his own financial interests in the Ohio Valley before it was even conquered.

Revealing and well-documented. Clary gives us good portraits of all the other important players like Dinwiddie, Gist, Forbes, and Braddock. We get a good glimpse of Washington’s character, or lack thereof, as he moves from flattering his superiors to double-crossing them in an instant if it served his personal interests and especially his desire for status. He was self-focused, arrogant, foolish, thin-skinned, uneasy about responsibility, concerned about his reputation, and willing to distort the truth and pin blame. And while he was able to effectively deal with subordinates, he easily antagonized his superiors (when not engaged in flattering them). He was very much detail-oriented and often unable to see the big picture. While he learned to assume responsibility by the end of the war, he still dodged accountability.

A pretty good book, although at one point Clary discusses the teasing letters he exchanged with Sally Fairfax but claims that the exchange had “no meaning,” even though Washington would write to her in 1797 and call this time the happiest of his life. In the book’s last chapter, Clary writes that Washington always accepted the opinions of Congress, while in fact Washington proved to be cunning politician who deviously manipulated Congress in order to get what the army needed. And when discussing his affair with Sally Fairfax, Clary argues that Washington’s ethical standards and involvement in Virginia society made a passionate affair unlikely, and then writes that Washington would have preferred to release his passion by "the ancient option of self-treatment" and that "for a member of the slaveholding class, sexual release was as close as the nearest slave cabin." All these attempts to “humanize” Washington seem a little superfluous.

Still, an excellent and unsympathetic biography, written in a clear and vibrant prose.

[Tom Darrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well researched and easily readable account of a little known period in George Washington's life. Most history students learn about the General and President Washington without ever thinking about how he got the experience to be appointed a general in the first place.

This book covers George Washington's life during the years of the French and Indian War, specifically 1753-59, when he was in command of the First Virginia Regiment. Washington volunteered to take the dangerous job of delivering a message to a remote French fort where no one else did and he later used this meager experience, plus social and political connections, to take command of the Virginia militia. For the next few years, he had some blunders, like picking a fight with the French that is credited with starting the war, nearly being captured and killed at Fort Necessity, and accompanying Gen. Braddock's ill-fated invasion of French territory.

Through it all, Washington shows the pros and cons of a young, inexperienced, gentleman officer. He is brave and inspiring in combat and is forced to make do with limited supplies and manpower. Meanwhile, he was authoritarian in his punishment of soldiers (even for minor offenses), took lengthy leaves of absence to attend to personal matters and brown-nosed every politician and general above him.

Clary does a good job at incorporating primary sources, particularly letters of those involved, to paint a pretty vivid picture of the young George's personality.

Two areas where this book is weak... 1) It goes into a little too much detail about the recruitment and supply problems he had throughout the war. It's obvious that those problems defined his command, but the point is a little belabored. 2) The conclusion is a bit hurried. About 200 pages is devoted to the war itself, but Washington goes from retiring from the 1st Virginia, through his career in the House of Burgesses, command of the army in the Revolution and presidency, to his death, in about 10 pages. I feel like Clary could have spent a little more time illustrating how Washington learned, and sometimes didn't learn, from the mistakes he made in the French and Indian War.

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Washington's early military career took place at the intersection of ambition and inexperience (to say nothing of the Ohio and the Monongahela). Acting as the head (more or less) of the Virginia militia, and on behalf of the Ohio Company, whose agent was the lieutenant governor of the colony, Washington blundered into starting the French and Indian War. In addition to presiding over the disaster at Fort Necessity, he was an aide-de-camp to General Braddock, who himself presided over the worst defeat in arms for the British army until Isandlhwana, almost 120 years later. The Battle of Monongahela (which, Clary doesn't mention, presaged St. Clair's defeat leading the army of the infant republic in a number of ways) was both a tactical and strategc failure. So what did Washington learn from the experience? He learned to underestimate the British army, to his later disadvantage.

Clary quotes extensively (too extensively) from Washington's journals. (Dinwiddie's journal, if he kept one, would have been interesting.) The most interesting part deals with the massacre of the Jumonville party, and with Washington's glossing over of pertinent detail. Washington was a brave young man, but 22-year-old colonels have much to learn.

[Mythili · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's been interesting to read about the makings of the greatest American revolutionary general as Egypt shapes a very different modern revolution of its own. The beauty of George Washington's early days is just how disastrous they really were. He blundered his way through diplomatic missions with the French, didn't know how to keep Indian allies, picked fights with his superiors, got stuck in tough wilderness, and had to shamefully surrender to the French at Fort Necessity. But he took valuable lessons from these early skirmishes: Some of those were about military strategy, some of them, about politics, some, simply about developing character.

This book is filled with details. Some are perfectly juicy (did you know that around the time Benedict Arnold turned traitorous, his wife was carrying on a flirtation with George Washington?) but I found myself getting bogged down in the mire of each campaign and confused about the purpose and net impact of some of his military assignments. But maybe that's what it felt like for Washington too, 21 years old and out in the uncharted woods of the Ohio River Valley, with no idea of what lay ahead.

[Damon Lively · Rating 3 out of 5]

What I like about this book is the focus on GW’s youth and coming of age. It provides some interesting details on his family and influences of a boy into teenage years. How he began to connect himself into a circle of influence (his desire to be a man of class and “networking” – in a sense – to align himself). It also is enlightening to see some of the youthful (and ignorant) ineptness of himself (particularly as a military man) which is opposite of his later success in life. Certainly some interesting history of the time period and some of the trials (and failures) GW endured that most likely aided him to become so influential later in life.

The downfalls are some of the language of the time period and complexity of society and political interactions. Some areas of the book are sluggish – a lot having to do with that time period and piecing components together. In some instances - pages or portions are simply uninspiring because of focus on details. It’s not a book that you would consider for a beginner or someone starting historical reference on GW. I’m glad I took the time to read it though.

[Kevin Findley · Rating 2 out of 5]

First off, the reading page count is 273. The rest is chronology, notes, etc.

The author seemed unable to keep his personal opinions and snarky attitude out of his work. Yes, we all know that this is not the George Washington we learned about in elementary school and that's fine. Clary made him seem like a mean girl with delusions of grandeur. If he had written the entire book as he did the final chapter and epilogue, this would have been a much better historical work and would find a place on my bookshelf. I'll trade it off instead.

I mentioned the chronology specifically, because it is superb. There are dozens of actions the author inserted that usually are seen as superfluous and are ignored. Not here, and it does fill out the early days of the conflicts. His bibliography and indexing are very well done also.

If you collect everything on Washington or the "French and Indian Wars", then this is a book you should pick up. Otherwise, perhaps look to another book or even thesis.

Read it.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well researched book on the French and Indian War and Washington's first command. Lots of detail on all aspects of the war except the actual battles which made for a tedious read at times. I originally picked up this book to read because one of my ancestors was killed in the French and Indian War. Washington was given command when my ancestor, Joshua Fry, died. I was disappointed in once respect since Joshua Fry got one sentence--to paraphrase--he fell off his horse, hit his head and died! Oh, well. It wasn't a book on Joshua Fry anyway and I did learn a lot about Washington's personality as a young man and the difficulties he went through in this first command which helped to form his command style for the American Revolution approximately 20 years later.

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

"George Washington Fights The Bureaucrats" should have been the title of this well-researched and -documented book. It is a slow read, dwelling primarily on the money woes of Virginia and the other British colonies; there's few battle narratives to jusitfy Clary's title.

Clary writes well, but one can only do so much with material more suited to an accountant's journals.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative book on the finer details of the French and Indian War (Seven Years War) and young Washington's early military adventures. At times an arduous read partially due to the long cast of characters involved; overall, a solid read about an oft-overlooked part of American history.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

More about Washington's first war time experience on the administrative side of things than actual battlefield information.

[Roger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book provided insight into the character of George Washington before the Revolutionary War period of his life.

[towner77 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fairly good telling of Washington's early life. The book had the feeling of being rushed to press.

Unfortunately, Clary's use of footnotes was somewhat distracting and obtuse.

[Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent history of Washington's early career here in Southwestern Pennsylvania - great insights into the man!

[Trey Lusk · Rating 1 out of 5]

Maybe the worst book I’ve ever read.