A Miraculous Shield part 2
EACH OF THESE ARTICLES ARE EXCERPTS FROM
AMERICA’S EPIC ADVENTURE TM - CTF'S NEWEST VBS CURRICULUM
From Lesson 2: The Protected , Be strong and courageous – Joshua 1:9
A Miraculous Shield part 2
A Big Battle
The new British General in America was Edward Braddock. He decided to invite George Washington to go with him to capture Fort Duquesne. Out of a sense of duty, Washington agreed. His mother was very upset and went to Mount Vernon to stop him. He said to her, “The God to whom you commended me, madam, when I set out upon a more perilous errand, defended me from all harm, and I trust He will do so now. Do not you?”
Washington went with him on May 29, 1755 with 2,100 men, though he got sick with a bad fever, chills, and aches. Along the way, they met some Shawnee and Delaware Indians. They offered to help, but Braddock shunned their offer. The Indians got fed up and left – Washington, knowing how helpful they would have been, was not happy.
On July 9th they approached the fort, expecting an easy win. What they didn’t know was that the French had received reinforcements and Indian allies, making them 1,600 strong. Still, they only sent out 891 to fight Braddock and his troops.
Lt. Col. Thomas Gage was sent forward with an advance guard of 350 men. About seven miles from the fort, they ran into the French at around 1:00 pm; they turned around and ran back toward the main group. Braddock’s group heard the gunshots and started running toward Gage’s men. They end up crashing into each other!
Everything then became chaotic and very scary! The Natives were making their terrifying “whooping” war cry. Gun shots were coming from all around and above them as the French and Indians were firing from behind and from the tops of trees! The British soldiers were used to fighting in straight lines in the open fields of Europe. To make sure they didn’t get shot, the Virginians who were with them jumped into the woods to fight like the Indians.
General Braddock was very upset at this kind of fighting but didn’t let it phase him. He demanded his soldiers get in proper formation and began to fight back. They actually started to do OK for a while, holding their lines for about 3 hours when…
…General Braddock was shot in the chest. As he was hurried away, Washington, who was still not very well, took command and organized a retreat. The retreat was successful in that they were not pursued, but lots of guns, provisions, and other items were left behind. One of the baggage wagons was being driven by Daniel Boone. He and his cousin Daniel Morgan were attacked by natives and narrowly escaped when Daniel Boone jumped down and cut the horses from the wagon, and the two fled on horseback.
General Braddock died three days later. George Washington would conduct a funeral for him, reading Scripture and offering prayer. Of the 1,300 British soldiers, 456 were killed, 422 more wounded, and 63 of the 86 officers were wounded, with 26 dying. Of the 50 women who had come along as maids and cooks, only 4 made it back – half were killed, the other half taken prisoner. The French only had 27 killed and 57 wounded.
A Protective Shield
After a few days, Washington, who was weak and exhausted from ten days of sickness, travel, and battle, was finally able to write to his mother to let her know he was OK. He also wrote to his brother John:
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 dispensatns of Providence, I have been protected beyond all human probability & expectation for I had 4 Bullets through my Coat, and two Horses shot under me yet although death was levelling my companions on every side of me, escaped unhurt.
Fifteen years later (1770), George and his friend Dr. James Craik were traveling to explore western territories where they met an Indian tribe on today’s Ohio/West Virginia border. The chief spoke to George Washington, which was recorded by Dr. Craik:
I have traveled a long and weary path that I might see the young warrior of the great battle… I called to my young men and said, “Mark yon 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 is alone exposed. Quick, let your aim be certain, and he dies.” Our rifles were leveled, rifles which, but for you, knew not how to miss – ‘twas all in vain, a power mightier far than we, shielded you.
Seeing you were under the special guardianship of the Great Spirit, we immediately ceased to fire at you… Listen! The Great Spirit protects that man, 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 never die in battle.
George Washington, though sometimes the biggest, easiest target on the battlefield, never received one wound in battle. He was simply faithful, regularly reading the Bible and praying. He never tried to be a hero. He did not worry about what would happen to him. He trusted God to protect and take care of him. One of the important things the patriots said during the war was that there should be no kings but Christ! George Washington had only one king – Jesus, and he lived for Him.
