Did Washington Receive Divine Protection?

Jeff Wolverton for the Abbeville Institute discusses the film, Young Washington, that is now playing in theaters. He takes issue with certain inaccuracies in the film.

But he also calls attention to an amazing scene toward the end of the film when an American Indian expresses the belief that Washington was being protected by “the Great Spirit” because of the manner in which he eluded death on the battlefield:

Washington at the Battle of the Monongahela – When British regulars panicked and broke under Franco-Indian fire, Washington’s retreat was strategic. He rallied the survivors and formed a rear-guard, saving the remaining forces. The portrayal of Washington in the movie diverges from the historical record. The cinematic version tends to heighten drama by showing Washington desperately trying to rally troops to continue the fight, while in reality, the British force was entirely routed and an organized retreat was his primary accomplishment.

His actions during the chaos of that day were instrumental in preventing a total massacre:

• Chaos on the Monongahela:The British force was ambushed by a much smaller coalition of French and Native Americans. European linear tactics failed miserably against enemies fighting from the cover of the woods.
• Targeting the Officers:Because British officers on horseback made obvious targets, Washington had two horses shot out from under him and four bullet holes in his coat (but not two bullet holes in his cap as portrayed in the movie).
• The Retreat:He helped carry the mortally wounded General Braddock from the field and coordinated a rear-guard action across the river, keeping the French and Native Americans from pursuing the shattered remainder of the army.

The meeting with the Indians after the Battle of Monongahela –It wasn’t immediately after the battle as portrayed in the film. Prominent Seneca or Ohio Country chief who, during Washington and Dr. James Craik’s 1770 expedition into the Ohio wilderness, reportedly recounted that he personally fired at Washington 17 times with his rifle. Believing no one could survive that amount of focused fire without the protection of the “Great Spirit,” he ordered his warriors to stand down.

A separate Native American chief present at the same battle, often identified as Red Hawk, claimed that he and his men had specifically targeted Washington and fired at him 11 times without hitting him, leading to the same conclusion that Washington was under the care of heaven.