~by James Still~
In 1755, a young Colonel George Washington fought under British General Edward Braddock against the French at Fort Duquesne [pronounced, “doo-cane”]. The British suffered a devastating defeat. Fifteen years later, as Washington was surveying lands west of Virginia, he was met by a party of Indians. An Indian chief, upon learning of Washington’s trip, had traveled to speak to him. As the Indian party entered the camp, the chief pointed to Washington. A council fire was lit and the chief told the story of the “great” battle at Fort Duquesne:
“I am a chief, and the ruler over many tribes. My influence extends to the waters of the great lakes, and to the far blue mountains. I have traveled a long and weary path, that I might see the young warrior of the great battle. It was on the day, when the white man’s blood, mixed with the streams of our forest, that I first beheld this chief: I called to my young men and said, ‘Mark yon tall and daring warrior? He is not of the red-coat tribe- he hath an Indian’s wisdom, and his warriors fight as we do- himself is alone exposed. Quick, let your aim be certain, and he dies.’ Our rifles were leveled, rifles which, but for him, knew not how to miss- ’twas all in vain, a power mightier far than we, shielded him from harm. He cannot die in battle.
I am old, and soon shall be gathered to the great council-fire of my fathers, in the land of shades, but ere I go, there is something, bids me speak, in the voice of prophecy. Listen! The Great Spirit protects that man, and guides his destinies- he will become the chief of nations, and a people yet unborn, will hail him as the founder of a mighty empire!” George Washington Parke Custis, Recollections and Private Memoirs of Washington, 1860
James Still (July 2015), JamesStill@RetraceOurSteps.com
“… I now exist and appear in the land of the living by the miraculous care of Providence, that protected me beyond all human expectation; I had four bullets through my coat and two horses shot under me yet escaped unhurt.” George Washington, Letter to John Augustine Washington, July 18, 1755
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“It is an interesting fact, that Washington never received the slightest wound in battle.” Benson J. Lossing, Recollections and Private Memoirs of Washington by George Washington Parke Custis, 1860
