Re-Enactors World

Shared by Allen Farley
Ministering to the Civil War Re-enacting Community Since 1984
Celebrating over 20 Years of Ministry

 Numbers 10:9, “And if ye go to war in your land against
the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm
with the trumpets; and ye shall be remembered before the
LORD your God, and ye shall be saved from your enemies.”

Psalm 91:7, “A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten
thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh
thee.”

There is an amazing story told about God’s providential
watch care in the life of George Washington our nation’s
first president. President Washington was born in
Westmoreland County, VA on February 22nd 1732.

This incident happened on July 9th, 1755 while Washington
was just a colonel in the colonial militia and only 23 years
of age. The colonies, along with British were, at war with
the French and Indians (a mix of Ottawa, Huron and Chippewa
tribes) over disputed land in the Ohio Valley.

On one operation Colonel Washington and colonial militia
along with British regulars under the command of General
Edward Braddock were dispatched to Fort Duquesne which is
now known as Pittsburgh. They were to drive the French out
of that area.

The small force marched from Fort Necessity, with a combined
number of almost 1,500 troops. These troops had to have
been quite a sight with their bright red uniforms and
marching through those woods as if on dress parade. These
soldiers had been trained in for European warfare.

As they approached Fort Duquesne, in a valley along the
Monongahela River they were attacked. The French and
Indians were hidden behinds trees and brush while the
British stood in the open, not breaking and firing at what
they could not see.

In the sight of two hours the French and Indians had killed
or wound over 1,000 British and Colonial troops while only
having 30 of their own wounded, none killed. It was truly a
slaughter. The British force was compelled to retreat back
to Fort Necessity.

Nine days after the battle, having heard a rumor that he had
been killed, Colonel Washington wrote a letter to his
brother to confirm that he was in truth still alive.

“…As I have heard since my arrival at this place, a
circumstantial account of my death and dying speech. I take
this early opportunity of contradicting the first and of
assuring you that I have not as yet composed the latter.
But by the all-powerful dispensations of Providence I have
been protected beyond all human probability or expectations;
for I had four bullet holes through my coat, and two horses
shot under me yet escaped unhurt, although death was
leveling my companions on every side of me!”

This is not the end of this story. Fifteen years later,
1770, George Washington and several friends traveled back to
this battlefield in the Pennsylvania woods. An old,
respected Indian chief, hearing George Washington was in the
area traveled a long way to personally meet him.

This chief sat down with Washington, face to face over a
council fire and related this story;

“…I am a chief and ruler over my 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 the forest that I first beheld the chief Washington.

I called to my young men and said, “Mark you 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 alone exposed. Quick, let your aim be certain and
he dies.

Our rifles was leveled, rifles which but for you, know not
how to miss – ‘twas all in vain, a power mightier far
than we shielded you. (The chief fired at Washington 12
times and one other brave said he had no less then 18 clear
shots at Washington and could not hit him)

Seeing you were under the special guardianship of the Great
Spirit, we immediately ceased to fire at you. I am old and
shall soon be gathered to the great council fire of my
fathers in the land of the shades, but ere I go, there is
something buds me speak in the voice of prophecy.

Listen! The Great Spirit protects that man [pointing to
Washington] 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. I am come to pay homage to
the man who is the particular favorite of Heaven, and who
can die in Battle.”