Strict. Rigid. Aloof. Dogmatic. Ambitious. Taskmaster. Determined. Emphatic. Fair. Honorable. Tenacious. Meticulous. Dedicated. And Enforcer. Bundled up in one who could explode in such sudden fury, as to send the devil running for cover. General George Washington. The Commander-in-Chief. Whose carefully crafted persona became a physical and mental force that transformed a tattered rabble of militia into an army; then led them on to greatness.
Washington the man was a paradox. Like enlightened eighteenth-century classical ‘elitists,’ honor was sacrosanct. He demonstrated social graces, respect, understanding, openness, ability to listen, to adhere to the majority, and importantly; empathy. But so too, he was at times socially awkward. His incendiary anger scorched all within reach. He could curse the ears off the lowest gutter-scum. As commander, he was welded to discipline; often to the extreme; never having flinched at using the lash or ordering men shot or hanged. Though expressing fondness for his ‘family’ of subordinates, he was forever aloof. And though considered indecisive and self-searching, when setting his course, Hell would freeze before he would deviate from its path. But beneath this façade, there was a method for his madness.
From early on in life, Washington perceived himself as a social outcast, strife with self-doubt. Some proclaim he never fully got over it; as evidenced in Councils of War; whereas, after listening to the advice of all present, yielded to the popular belief. So too, he openly questioned his ability to command and the sanity of those who placed the hopes of a new nation in the hands of an ‘amateur.’ However, veiled in modesty, he peppered his frailties and foibles in correspondence to subordinates and political allies, masking a deeper understanding of the human psyche. People took notice. Ambition was nourished. A path to authority was laid clear. Washington was molding himself into the person he wished to become.
Before the age of sixteen, the future leader of America’s rebellion transcribed by hand 110 Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation, written by 16th century Jesuit monks, and translated into English by Tower of London priest under King James II, Francis Hawkins. Washington not only memorized these rules that focused on people rather than the narrow concept of one’s own self-interests, but they became his bible; religiously practiced throughout his adult life. Perhaps he knew even as a youth, that by proclaiming respect for others, he would receive the reward of self-respect and heightened self-esteem. Washington would learn that ambition, veiled in sincere modesty and single-minded determination, paid off. It was this understanding that helped guide his march to power, and role as a commander.
Author and biographer Katherine Kersten wrote that “Washington’s life was marked by moral striving. He had a fiery temper, which he controlled through constant self-discipline. He had a love of honor and regard, which he strove to hold in check by courteous attention to all, both high and low. As a strong-willed man, Washington’s paramount aim was self-mastery. His guiding ideals were fortitude, justice, and moderation.” So too, from early on, Washington was an avid reader of the published military discourse of his day. A more complete listing of the influential texts Washington read on military protocol and battlefield tactics can be found on Revolutionary War Journal’s article entitled “Military Books that Influenced George Washington.”
Throughout Washington’s military career, he was exposed to the darker side of human nature, and occasionally railed against the squalor and stupidity of fellow politicians and most particularly, enlisted men. Yet he nourished a formidable self-control of his emotions; forced to defeat his own temper and impetuosity before he ever met a redcoat on the field of battle. There was an iron determination beneath the modest exterior. And as a military leader, he was wedded to what he saw as every army’s need; discipline, that his troops so singularly needed, and he so aptly applied.
Almost two hundred and fifty years later, we are fortunate to gaze upon our founding father’s advice on commanding troops. What it takes to be a competent leader and follow through on the expectations of command and advancing troops. During the seize of Boston, Washington wrote from Cambridge, Massachusetts, to his friend and distant cousin, William Woodford. The fellow planter had recently received his commission as colonel of the 2nd Virginia militia. He had previously asked Washington for advice on military matters as he feared he would soon be put to the test against Virginia Royal Governor Lord Dunmore’s assembled British and Loyalist forces. Washington responded to Colonel William Woodford on November 10, 1775. Postal service at the time should have put the letter in Woodford’s hands just days before his momentous Battle of Great Bridge. His men would decimate the British attacking force becoming what some have termed, ‘The Bunker Hill of the south.’ Woodford would carry on in the Continental Army as a Brigadier of the Virginia Line.
Washington’s response has been taken from John C. Fitzpatrick’s edition of the Writings of George Washington, Vol. 4, pp 80 – 81. Woodford’s letter, which Washington refers to in his correspondence that the colonel wrote on September 18, 1775, unfortunately has been lost to time.
Dear Sir,
Your favor of the 18th of September came to my hands on Wednesday last, through Boston, and open, as you may suppose. It might be well to recollect by whom you sent it, in order to discover if there has not been some treachery practiced.
I do not mean to flatter, when I assure you, that I highly approve of your appointment. The inexperience you complain of is a common case, and only to be remedied by practice and close attention. The best general advice I can give, and which I am sure you stand in no need of, is to be strict in your discipline; that is, to require nothing unreasonable of your officers and men, but see that whatever is required be punctually complied with. Reward and punish every man according to his merit, without partiality or prejudice; hear his complaints; if well founded, redress them; if otherwise, discourage them, in order to prevent frivolous ones. Discourage vice in every shape, and impress upon the mind of every man, from the first to the lowest, the importance of the cause, and what it is they are contending for.
For ever keep in view the necessity of guarding against surprises. In all your marches, at times, at least, even when there is no possible danger, move with front, rear, and flank guards, that they may be familiarized to the use; and be regular in your encampments, appointing necessary guards for the security of your camp. In short, whether you expect an enemy or not, this should be practiced; otherwise your attempts will be confused and awkward, when necessary. Be plain and precise in your orders, and keep copies of them to refer to, that no mistakes may happen. Be easy and condescending in your deportment to your officers, but not too familiar, lest you subject yourself to a want of that respect, which is necessary to support a proper command. These, Sir, not because I think you need the advice, but because you have been condescending enough to ask it, I have presumed to give as the great outlines of your conduct.
As to the manual exercise, the evolutions and maneuvers of a regiment, with other knowledge necessary to the soldier, you will acquire them from those authors, who have treated upon these subjects, among whom Bland (the newest edition) stands foremost; also an Essay on the Art of War; Instructions for Officers, lately published at Philadelphia; the Partisan; Young; and others.
My compliments to Mrs. Woodford; and that every success may attend you, in this glorious struggle, is the sincere and ardent wish of, dear Sir, your affectionate humble servant.
G. Washington
When put in command of America’s armies, British author Robert Harvey penned it nicely when he wrote: “Under the unassuming exterior this rich man on the margins of the Virginia aristocracy was to display leadership, strength and dignity of such an order that ultimately the whole American Revolution came to revolve around him…His very failings served to strengthen the reputation of not just a founding father but… the founding father.”
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RESOURCE
Fitzpatrick, John C. The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, Vol. 4 Oct. 1775 – April 1776. 1931: United States Government Printing Office, Washington DC.
Harvey, Robert. A Few Bloody Noses, The American Revolutionary War. 2001: John Murray Publishers and Constable and Robinson Printers, London, UK.
National Archives Founders Online. “From George Washington to Colonel Woodford.”
Schenawolf, Harry. “General George Washington’s Explosive Temper Helped Shape the Man Who Forged a New Nation.” Nov. 8, 2018. Revolutionary War Journal.
Schenawolf, Harry. “Military Books that Influenced Washington.” Feb. 25, 2022. Revolutionary War Journal.