George Washington

Washington's Early Life—Appointed as Surveyor—First Trip into the Wilderness—Entrusted with Message to the French. 20 Washington Appointed a Member of Gen. Braddock's Staff—French and Indian War—Washington Made Commander of Virginia Forces—Causes of the American Revolution—Washington a Member of the First Continental Congress. 30 Beginning of the Revolution—Washington Made Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army—British Forced to Leave Boston. 40 Declaration of Independence Signed—Battle of Long Island—Battle of White Plains—Washington Crosses the Delaware and Surprises the Hessians at Trenton. 52 Recapture of Fort Ticonderoga by Gen. Burgoyne—Battle of Brandywine—Battle of Germantown—Burgoyne's Surrender at Saratoga—Washington at Valley Forge—Alliance with France. 62 Battle of Monmouth—Patriots Receive Aid from France—Recapture of Fort at Stony Point by Gen. Anthony Wayne—Washington at Morristown—Surrender of Charleston, S. C., to the British—Treason of Benedict Arnold. 73 Gen. Gates Defeated at Camden, S. C.—Battle of King's Mountain—Washington Sends Aid to the South—Siege of Yorktown—Surrender of Lord Cornwallis—Peace Treaty Signed—Washington's Farewell to His Officers. 83 Washington Retires to Mount Vernon—Inaugurated as First President of the United States—His Reelection—His Death at Mount Vernon. The Washington Monument LIST OF COLORED PLATES Washington Leaving His Home Frontispiece Washington Taking Command of the Army 20 Washington Crossing the Delaware 40 At Valley Forge 52 Washington Bidding Farewell to His Officers 73 Washington Welcomed in New York 83 WASHINGTON'S EARLY LIFE—APPOINTED AS SURVEYOR—FIRST TRIP INTO THE WILDERNESS—ENTRUSTED WITH MESSAGE TO THE FRENCH—1732-1754 The twenty-second day of February is a national holiday in America because, as everybody knows, it is the anniversary of George Washington's birthday. All loyal Americans love and honor him, the greatest man in the history of the Republic. He was born in 1732, in Westmoreland County, Virginia, where the Potomac River flowed past his father's farm. The farm-house, called "Wakefield," was burned, but the United States Government built a monument to mark the place where it stood. When "Wakefield" was destroyed, the family lived for a time in a home, later called Mount Vernon, in Fairfax County. But the real boyhood home of George Washington was a farm overlooking the Rappahannock River, where his parents went when he was about eight years old. His father, Augustine Washington, was a prosperous Virginia planter, and owned several fine estates. His mother's name was Mary Ball. She was a beautiful and sensible woman, and a wise, firm and loving mother. She was his father's second wife and