Washington, part IV

The Americans formed The First Continental Congress to resist the embargo on Boston. All thirteen colonies sent delegates. It was soon apparent that the only way to gain their rights was to claim independence from Britain. They appointed George Washington the Command-in-Chief of the American forces in 1775. July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed by some of the delegates, the vast majority signed later in August. By fixing their signatures to the Declaration they were signing their names in treason, and they all knew it. But they were resolved. "And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor." [1] They put their trust in God and prayed for victory.

The British commander in Boston decided to try and break up the stockpiles of American weapons. He sent his army to seize a stockpile in Lexington. The Minutemen, local militia, rushed to meet the British. The leader of the British expedition ordered the Americans to disperse. They didn't. Someone, maybe British, maybe American, fired a shot and the Battle Lexington and the American Revolution started.

Washington left Mount Vernon to take command of the American army; he doubted his ability to win the war. "I do not think myself equal to the command I am honored with."[2] But it was the wish of his countrymen that he lead them, "and he did so, with an earnest desire not to disappoint their confidence, and an humble trust that he should have the blessing of God." [3]

The task before him was a hard one indeed. The British army was well trained and the soldiers seasoned, plus there was a lot of them. The American army, by contrast, was scantily armed and clothed. In addition to this, soldiers served short enlistment times, meaning the army was constantly changing its features. Washington wrote to Congress about the American army, "these situations are melancholy, but nevertheless true. I hope for better."[4]

The Americans enjoyed brief success at the start; they freed Boston and held their own at the Battle of Bunker Hill. The British controlled the seas and could land soldiers anywhere along the coast, however. One thing Washington had learnt from his time in the French and Indian War was that by avoiding pitched battle, a small band of troops stood a better chance of victory against a larger army.

Washington and the army stationed themselves at Long Island; where they anxiously awaited to be attacked. The British landed a large force on Long Island, trapping the Americans forces on the island. Washington was determined to avoid open battle when the odds were so against them. He also knew that if the American army was killed at Long Island, the hope for freedom would die with them. "The fate of unknown millions will depend, under God, on the courage and conduct of this army. Let us rely on the goodness of our cause, and in the aid of the Supreme Being."[5] He decided to evacuate the army from Long Island.

It was very risky; he would have to load his whole army onto boats and then get them pass the British warships to the Continent. As night approached they realized that, "a kind of Providence favored the Americans with a night so dark, and a morning so foggy, that though their enemies were within a hundred yards of them, they did not know the movement they were making until they were beyond the reach of their guns."[6] Washington was in the last boat to leave. There are many examples of God intervening for the Americans throughout the War. Rivers would suddenly flood as soon as the Americans passed over, stopping the British. Or storms would throw the British fleet off course and damage them. "For they never would have succeeded in defending their rights, unless the mighty hand of God had upheld and guided them."[7]

The British pursued Washington, who kept retreating. One officer, getting discouraged with always falling back, asked Washington how far they would run. He replied, "To Virginia, and if followed there, over the Alleghany Mountains, and try what we can do there." [8] The rest of the year went the same until winter. The British decided to winter at Princeton, New Jersey, and were warm and comfortable. The Americans sat out in the cold ; their suffering was great. Most of them didn't have shoes, and none of them had winter clothing; in addition, they didn't have much food. Morale was low, and so was reenlistments. Washington was concerned that there wouldn't be any enlistments in the spring. And so he formed a daring plan.
[1] Declaration of Independence
[2] Life of Washington (Anna C. Reed) p60
[3] Life of Washington (Anna C. Reed) p61
[4] Life of Washington (Anna C. Reed) p74
[5] Life of Washington (Anna C. Reed) p74
[6] Life of Washington (Anna C. Reed) p75
[7] Life of Washington (Anna C. Reed) p50-51
[8] Life of Washington (Anna C. Reed) p81

Washington, part III

Sadly for the British soldiers, their general wouldn’t listen to Washington, who knew how the French and Indians fought in the woods. He suggested to Braddock that he and his Virginians comb the forest before the British tried to cross a river. Braddock was offended and ordered his men to cross the river. The French and Indians attacked suddenly; the ambush was devastating. "In vain did their commander, and the undaunted Washington, endeavor to restore them to order and prevent their flight." [1]

The massacre of the British was terrible, "The slaughter at the Monongahela River continued for two hours. By then, 1,000 of the 1, 459 of the British soldiers were killed or wounded, while only 30 of the French and Indian Warriors firing at them were injured."[2]

The British were easy targets, especially their officers who rode on horses to distinguish their rank. "One by one, the chief's marksmen shot the mounted British officers until only one remained." [3] This one officer was Washington. The Indian chief ordered his braves to bring down the last officer. They fired again and again. Twice his horse was shot out from under him, and twice he remounted, four bullets pierced his coat, and several grazed his sword. The Indians were at a loss. "His safety in the midst of such attacks, astonished his savage enemies and they called him 'The Spirit-protected man who would be a chief of nations for he could not die in battle."[4]They then grew afraid as they realized this officer was being protected by someone Supernatural. "The shield of his God protected him."[5] Washington rallied the troops and led the retreat to save the little bit of the army that was left. He was hailed as a hero by the Colonists.

Rumors started to spread that he had been killed in the battle. While writing to his brother to dispel such rumors, he wrote about his miraculous survival, "See the wondrous works of Providence!"[6]

The next British officer who took command after Braddock, he had been killed in the fighting, didn't care much for Washington's advice either. The new general decided to pull the British army out of Virginia and winter them elsewhere, leaving Virginia unprotected. Governor Dinwiddie appointed Washington head of the Virginia militia.

The following winter was a hard one for the Virginians as the French and Indians raided across the border, "whose known rule of warfare is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes, and conditions."[7] It was a terrible and trying time. Washington did his best, but they were hopelessly outnumbered and outgunned.

The British captured Fort Duquesne in 1758, thus securing the Virginia border. The British then went on to completely drive the French from the North American continent. Washington decided to resign again, now that the threat was over.

He married Martha Custis on his return to domestic life. He was happily married to her the rest of his life. He wore a miniature portrait of her around his neck. Through all of his dangers and adventures during the War of Independence, he always kept her close to his heart. When he was general of the Continental Army, she made it her duty to be by him during the winters and suffered along with him and his army from cold and hunger. Their marriage is truly a beautiful example of love, sacrifice, and devotion.

For some time Washington lived quietly at Mount Vernon, but events were taking place in Boston and London that would again call him to service. The British government was imposing severe taxes on the Colonies. The British claimed that it was only right the Colonists help pay for the Seven Years War. The Colonists protested; they had fought the French and Indians bravely and if it hadn't been for them, the British would have lost in the American theatre. The British government replied by imposing stricter regulations on them. The Colonists petitioned the King for relief, but he didn't listen. Instead, he raised the taxes, and started to try and take away their right to vote their own legislators into office, he kept a standing army in the colonies during a time of peace, and he took Americans from America and had them tried in Britain, and he pressed the young sailors into the British navy.

Tensions were rising and almost came to a head when a group of nervous British soldiers fired into an unarmed mob of protestors in Boston, which came to be known as the Boston Massacre. The American Colonists were furious. They stopped trading with Britain to avoid the taxes, which in turn infuriated the British. The British government then tried to tax the tea being shipped to America. Bostonians, dressed as Indians, raided the British ships with the tea and threw it into the harbor in 1773. Britain responded by putting an embargo on Boston and stationed a large body of soldiers there. The Americans started to stockpile weapons and prepared for fighting in 1774.
[1] Life of Washington (Anna C. Reed) p36
[2] Under God (Toby Mac and Michael Tait) p11
[3] Under God (Toby Mac and Michael Tait) p11
[4] Life of Washington (Anna C. Reed) p38
[5] Life of Washington (Anna C. Reed) p38
[6] Life of Washington (Anna C. Reed) p40
[7] Declaration of Independence

Washington, part II

He rapidly promoted through the ranks of the militia to major, holder of a steady salary. He was very young for such trust to be placed in his hands, being in his late teens to early twenties.

The years that he was living in were dangerous times. Europe was arming itself for yet another conflict. The French and the British both had colonies in North America; both nations wanted to edge the other out. The Americas was a plum for trade and expansion.

The French were trying to connect their Canadian colonies with their Louisianan colonies. By doing this, it would hinder British expansion and put the thirteen colonies into a deadlock . The French could attack the colonies from their entire frontier border. In addition, France had joined Austria, her traditional enemy, along with Russia and Sweden, to bring Frederick the Great of Prussia back to size. Great Britain jumped on board with Prussia, with Spain joining later on the French side. The war in Europe, 1756-1763, was called the Seven Years War; the American colonists called it the French and Indian War. This war covered most of the globe, with fighting raging from Europe to America, from India to Africa. In all reality, this could be coined World War I.

The results this war had on American history is far reaching. At the end, with the British victorious, and the French driven from the North American continent, the Colonists were left emboldened with the fear of French invasion removed. It also gave Washington the experience he would later need while fighting the War of Independence.

The French had constructed a fort, Fort Le Boeuf, on the south of Lake Eerie, in 1753, on territory granted to the Virginian colony by King James. The governor of Virginia sent Washington to the fort to demand that they leave. "It is clear enough that Washington, despite his youth, was considered equal to his diplomatic task." [1]

Washington immediately left for the fort. The journey wasn't easy; winter was approaching. The French didn't care much about the British orders to leave their territory, and cordially refused to leave the land. They said it was part of the Old Dominion, and therefore was French. In addition, they planned to expand further as soon as spring came; Washington was sent away empty handed. The journey home nearly claimed Washington's life a couple of times. In one instance, he was thrown from the raft into an icy river. Yet, he was amazingly able to get back onto the raft, when his companion thought he was lost. "In this dangerous situation, he was saved by the protecting hand of God." [2]

Because he had done his duty so well he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in Virginia's militia. The word Washington brought back raised a flurry of action from the British. Governor Dinwiddie was furious and ordered Washington, in the spring of 1754, to erect a fort on the north side of Lake Eerie and not let the French pass, and if they tried, he gave him orders to fight them.

Washington was dutiful, and thus it was he who ordered the first shots to be fired. A small French force advanced to try and hinder the building of the British fort; Washington marched out and defeated the French. He was promoted to the rank of Colonel for his victory and daring. "I heard the bullets whistling, and believe me, there is something charming to that sound." [3]
A large French force marched on him to avenge the previous skirmish. The militia weren't ready, and the hastily constructed fort, Fort Necessity, was easily captured by the French. Washington was able to negotiate for he, and his soldier, to march home with all of their weapons and supplies but they had to abandon the fort.

During the course of the next few months, the king of England ordered that any British officer would outrank a Colonial officer, regardless of his rank or experience. Washington was offended and resigned. His elder brother had just died and he inherited Mount Vernon. He was busy putting his estates in order when he was invited by General Edward Braddock, the British general sent to capture Fort Duquesne (formerly known as Fort Necessity). The way to the fort was dangerous, and many of the Indians joined the French; Virginians were brought along because they would know the way. Washington agreed and left Mount Vernon to join the campaign.
[1] George Washington (John Alden)
[2] Life of Washington (Anna C. Reed) p30
[3] George Washington (John Alden) p27

Washington, part I

Here is my biography on George Washington; blogger has messed with the format a bit. I'll try and fix it, but I'm having troubles getting it to work with me. I hope ya enjoy!

The Father of our Country, George Washington, was a remarkable leader. He lead the Continental Army, a ragtag band of rebels, against the disciplined British Army, and won the war. He guided our young nation through the stormy seas of its infancy. He was a brilliant tactician, a fearless soldier, a daring general, a steady handed President, but more importantly, he was a devout Christian. What made him great was his unconditional faith in God.

George Washington was born February 11, 1732, in Westmoreland, Virginia. At the time nobody thought that he would shake the world; he was a Virginian colonist, not a European aristocrat. During that period, Europeans dominated the political theatre and the colonists, living in "exile" in the New World, never played a role on stage.

Washington was brought up well. His older two brothers were sent to school in England, but he was never sent. If he had, who knows how he would have developed. Washington never received much formal schooling. "He acquired none of that classical lore that was driven into boyish heads at Eaton, Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard." [1] That's not to mean that he was a barbarian; Washington was a very civil young man, "he perseveringly tried to improve himself by study, reading and practice." [2]

His father died when he was eleven years old and he inherited Ferry Farm, his father's property along the Potomac River. His mother was very dutiful in raising him, "One of the first lessons which young Washington received from his faithful parents, was; the importance of always speaking the truth." [3] And the fruits of her careful teaching was seen throughout his life. Washington was very respected at school; his word on a subject was always considered to be truthful and would end all arguments.

He applied for a commission in the Royal British Navy when he was fifteen, but out of respect for his mother, who was terrified of the idea, he withdrew his application. "He gave up his own inclinations, to promote her comfort….his filial tenderness was an example to them of compliance with the direction which is given to children in the word of God, 'Let them learn first piety at home, and to requisite their parents'….The act of filial regard which 'requited' the anxious cares of his mother, may be traced his usefulness to his country and the glory of his character." [4] He loved his mother very dearly, and she him; she was also very proud of her son, "I am not surprised at what George has done, for he was always a very good boy." [5] She trusted God to take care of him during his many dangerous adventures.

Washington didn't remain idle, however; so he occupied himself with the surveying of unsettled lands and joined the Virginia militia. A good attitude about life attracts success, as is seen with Washington.
[1] George Washington (John Alden) p4
[2] Life of Washington (Anna C. Reed) p266
[3] Life of Washington (Anna C. Reed) p20
[4] Life of Washington (Anna C. Reed) p24
[5] Life of Washington (Anna C. Reed) p210, Mary, the mother of George

George, sickness, and Homac

I've been extremely busy this week! I've had a lot of school I've been working on. I'm still editing my biography on George Washington, I'll post it probably when I'm done. I finished up my study of the Civil War. This is really a sad part of our history. It made me sick. I've got a lot of thoughts about the war, and the times, but I'll elaborate on that another time.

There has been this virus running around. It got Mom, Stacia, and Alex, but Arielle, Nolan, and I didn't get it. The three of us partitioned the house and would randomly disinfect the rooms and anywhere where the sick people may have been or thought about going. Several people brought us meals while everyone was sick, which was amazing and really tasty!

I fixed my bike the other day and went for my first bike ride in Japan! That is exciting stuff! I rode my bike down to Homac to buy chain for the human video we are working on. It took me forever to communicate to the Japanese lady what I wanted. I don't know how chain is sold in America, but here it is just one big long chain and you tell an employee how long you want the chain and they cut it for you. That's a really smart system with only one slight defect: you have to speak the language. But it turned out alright and I practically got what I wanted.

That's all the time I have for now, I need to go and start cooking dinner (Mom is at a ladies retreat).

The cheap and the legitmate heroes

I've been thinking (y'all know that is when it time to be afraid) about people and how people love the concept of the hero dying for everyone else in a story. Think about it. There are hundreds of stories, spanning from the Ancients to the present, where the hero of the story sacrifices himself for everyone else. I forget the Greek dude's name, but Greek mythology is full of examples of the story dying for his friends. Or we've got Brutus for the Romans, he threw himself into a crack in the ground to save Rome. Or when Mr. Carton switched places with Mr. Darnay and dies for him. There are literary examples throughout all of history.

We as humans are fascinated by another person dying to save others. It gets us excited. There's just one problem for all of these guys who heroically die: they're dead. I know of only one, true story, where the hero dies and then rises again. That story can be read in the Bible. Jesus paid the ultimate price, and sacrificed Himself for us. He died for the villains.

And now Hollywood is trying to get in on the action. Think about it: there are lots of movies nowadays where the hero "dies." But the sacrifice in the movies is a cheap sacrifice, because the hero never actually dies. Everyone thinks he's dead, and so they're sad, but then it turns out he didn't really die and so it all turns out well. This seems like a cheap form of sacrifice to me. The most recent movie I've seen, "How to train your dragon," (I loved it, very funny) is a good example. The hero does something brave, but everyone thinks he dies; and so they cry and get really sad. But then he shows up a bit burnt and everyone is happy again.

I'm not entirely sure where I was taking that...but its been something I've been thinking about. Hmmmm....I'll do some more thinking and then come back with a brilliant conclusion.

R2D2 and I

We bought a charcoal grill the other day. Nolan and I went to work on putting it together yesterday. After it was built, I decided to name it R2D2.

It was my first attempt at grilling while Dad is gone, and my first time ever to use a charcoal grill. It didn't go so well. I sat out on the back porch, in the rain and cold, and couldn't get anything to cook right and we lost 4 hamburgers to the fire......R2D2 and I had a bit of a rocky start to our relationship.

Paintball!!

I went paintballing this Saturday. It's been over a year since I've played, so I was a bit rusty, but I started to get my groove on near the end of the day.

I shocked everyone out there by showing up in my paintball gear....or lack thereof. Everyone was wearing vests and 20 layers of clothes...and then I show up in cammo pants and a sleeveless muscle shirt. They were like, "are seriously going to go out there like that????" I've got some nice welts!

Without going into very many particulars, the group of guys out there was rough. They also had extremely good guns.....so in a shootout between me and one of them they usually got the better (their 20 rounds to my 1 per second adds up after the first few seconds!). I did bust a move or two....like rushing a guys barricade...and then  jumped and slid on my knees while shooting and got him....very cool! lol

After paintballing, Mom and I ran to get some lunch at the BX (I was kind of a mess, covered in paint, dirt, mud, and welts). And thenI went to go mow Ch. B's lawn. After that I ran over to the chapel to load the slides for the service in the morning. I had troubles with the slides and so I wasn't able to load them till the next morning.

Mothers Day was good.

Sakula!

The cherry blossoms bloomed this week! It was breathtaking! We met a family from the chapel at the Statue of Liberty Park for lunch on Wed.

Under the cherry trees!

From 2010-05-05

It was Children's Day the day we went, and so there were LOTS of folks out having fun. It is strange. I've not seen that many Japanese familes...like father/mother/children in one spot in a long time. And they were all having fun and relaxing, another unusual sight.

From 2010-05-05

We took Dad with us....

From 2010-05-05

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Lunch under the cherry blossoms...nothing like it

From 2010-05-05

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From 2010-05-05

After lunch, I headed over to Lady Liberty to work on school. It was neat. I sat at the base of the statue. The wind was blowing some of the cherry blossoms off the trees and so I've got blossom pettles in my school book and backpack. I got a lot done, but the Japanese girls blowing bubbles all over the place made me finish early. lol

From 2010-05-05

From 2010-05-05

Dad and a German dude....Miss you dad!

From 2010-04-30 Afghanistan 3

Sunday!

The Cherry blossoms are really starting to bloom around town! It is soooo pretty

From 2010-05-02

Ahhhh yes...trying to fix the oven

From 2010-05-02

We went to the train park outside the main gate and there are lanterns hung all over the park for Golden Week. There was also a lot of Japanese having a good time, drinking sake, and playing games. A very rare sight to see the Japanese having fun.

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An odd feature about Japanese benches....they have a little light on either arm rest that illuminates the whole bench....I kinda wonder how in the world a homeless guy is suppossed to sleep with that light!

From 2010-05-02

From 2010-05-02

Human Videos!

We did our human video at the chapel on Sunday. It was a bit wild! We had a few communication problems (it was all my bad) and so our guy playing Jesus didn't know we were going to be performing that morning. We were doing it at the 0800 service, which means it was early. At 8 O'clock he wasn't there. The service started. I gathered the team in the back room and we prayed....and prayed....right in the middle of praying my cell phone started to ring. We all open our eyes and look at my phone (sitting on the floor) and we saw his name in the called ID. He came to the chapel as fast as he could and made it just in time.

They did a good job! We were all a bit nervous, the stage was much smaller than we'd ever practiced with. And we had to have someone else play the other Roman. but it turned out well. I had a lot of people come up to me and say we did a great job.

Here's the video, I hope it works!

From 2010-05-02

Running Around Misawa

I made a deal with Arielle that if she'd watch the Alamo with me, then I'd watch Pride and Prejudice with her. I've read the book, it's a good book and the movie is pretty good to.

From 2010-05-01

This week has been Golden Week. It's a big holiday around here. The carp that you see blowing in the wind represents the boys...because they have to be strong and determined like the carp. I' not sure if they have included it to be boys and girls...cuz I kinda have trouble beleiving this household has 4 boys.

From 2010-05-01

It is starting to look a lot like spring!

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Me trying to jump rope.....i'm actually pretty good at it.

From 2010-05-01

We went to the Statue of Liberty Park.....I love going there. It is so amazing. they had vendors out there, and people were just enjoying the good weather. One vendor gave us some extremely undercooked meat....and exploding soda.....I don't know about them....lol

From 2010-05-01

Tres Amigos

From 2010-05-01

And then we went to the Swan Park and bought some food from the vendors (cooked this time) and then we went to this little garden surrounded by trees and it is very mystical. It is also very refreshing to see how artful and skilled God is in His design.

From 2010-05-01

Photos from the Stans

Here's some pics Dad took at his place.....Dad, I wanted to use the one with you and that Nato dude...but your name tag was readable, so I didn't use it. Can I use it?

From 2010-04-30 Afghanistan 3

From 2010-04-30 Afghanistan 3