The primary source that I chose was a letter written by George Washington addressed to his mother reporting the skirmish of July 9, 1775, that he had with the French and Native Americans. Washington assures his mother that the attack was "represented in a worse light (if possible) than it deserves". It is in this letter that he took the opportunity to direct his mother to the truth and from its exaggerated from.
Before I continue to address this letter, it would be best to acknowledge that at this point in time our former president George Washington, was a colonel in the French and Indian War. He was about 23 years old and seemed to have written this letter in Pennsylvania and of course, was on the side of the English. Also known as the Seven Years War, this was a battle between the British and the French over control of the Ohio Valley. However, victor of this land would ultimately receive control of North America. Feared by the colonists' everlasting settlements, Indians sided with the French in hopes of preventing any further land usage.
At first glance, we can see that Washington addresses his mother as "Honored Madam" which displays the utmost respect from her son, as well as a formal relationship between the two. This relationship is further identified through the formal language and syntax that George Washington utilizes. At first, his letter takes form in more of a report as he informs his mother that "we were attacked by a body of French and Indians, whose number...did not exceed 300 men. Ours consisted of 1,300 well-armed troops". He then goes on to report the officers who had died in the battle and the amount of casualties. However, it is towards the end of the letter that we can see a more casual tone as he compares cowardly officers to "sheep pursued by dogs". He then tells his mother who must have been petrified to hear that, he "luckily escaped without a wound, though I had four bullets through my coat, and two horses shot under me".
Yet what historically must be the most important piece of information in this primary source is the fact that, the troops were "attacked by a body of French and Indians, whose number (I am certain) did not exceed 300 men. Ours consisted of about 1,300 well-armed troops, chiefly of the English soldiers, who were struck with such a panic that they behaved with more cowardice than it is possible to conceive." Considering the fact that this battle took place at the start of the war, this piece of information teaches us that at first English might have been disorganized and how much the English feared the Native Americans.
Although this document is a first-hand account written by George Washington, it fails to give an in-depth insight into his personal life. One might yearn to observe more of a child and mother relationship in the letter as well as any mentions of important friends. However, given that Washington was "in weak and feeble condition" while writing the letter, it reflects the strength and tenacity characterized in our President.
To directly view this primary source click here where you will find the source in Washington's own handwriting. However, if you would like to read this source in a typed out version click here.
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