Somewhere between nineteen and twenty-two years old (the date of his birth is uncertain), Hamilton had risen from humble origins in the West Indies, and the stigma of illegitimacy, to attend King’s College, which later became Columbia University. Since 1775 he had commanded a New York artillery company. Either during the fight for New York or the desperate retreat across New Jersey, Hamilton’s actions had brought him to the attention of his superiors, one of whom (probably Henry Knox) arranged for his interview with Washington for the vacant aide position. Short and slight—Harrison nicknamed
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