George Washington has frequently been criticized for his first military campaign, which sparked the French and Indian War. In 1754 Washington was an ambitious yet inexperienced young officer, eager to carry out his orders on behalf of Virginia and the British king. While his campaign failed to meet its objectives, Washington experienced his first taste of military command, dealing with situations that ultimately proved beyond his control, and learned lessons that made him into the man who led the Continental Army to victory in the Revolutionary War. Historian Scott Patchan delves deep into Washington’s correspondence to tell the story of his training as an officer.

 

Scott C. Patchan is the author of several military history books, including “Shenandoah Summer,” “Second Manassas: The Struggle for Chinn Ridge,” and “The Last Battle of Winchester.”

 

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