Posted on 07/20/2020 7:45:15 PM PDT by Perseverando
In the decades prior to the Revolutionary War, tensions arose between the two largest global powers: BRITAIN, led by King George II, and FRANCE, led by King Louis XV.
Because of their alliances with other nations, fighting escalated into the first global war -- the Seven Years War, or as it was called in America, the French and Indian War.
The conflict included every major power in Europe as well as their colonies from the Caribbean, to India, to the Philippines, and to Africa.
Over a million died.
It was sparked by the ambush in 1754 of a French detachment in the Ohio Valley by British militia led by 22-year-old Virginia Colonel George Washington.
During this crisis, people turned to Christ.
The Great Awakening Revival swept through the American colonies.
A notable dissenting preacher, Samuel Davies, spread revival across racial lines and was heard by many in Virginia, including Patrick Henry, who credited Davies with "teaching me what an orator should be."
Rev. Davies regularly invited hundreds of slaves to his home for a Bible study on Saturday evenings, their only free time, and taught them hymns and how to read.
Realizing the importance of education, Davies helped found Princeton University, and was chosen its president after Jonathan Edward's sudden death.
In 1755, 1,400 British troops marched over the Appalachian Mountains to seize French Fort Duquesne, near present day Pittsburgh.
One of the wagon drivers for the British was 21-year-old Daniel Boone.
On July 9, 1755, they passed through a deep wooded ravine along the Monongahela River eight miles south of the fort.
Suddenly, they were ambushed by French regulars and Canadians accompanied by Potawatomi and Ottawa Indians.
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Great post. Thank you.
American history would probably have been very different indeed had he received such a commission.
This is a good one too. Thanks for posting.
American history would probably have been very different indeed had he received such a commission.
Washington didn't receive a commission in the British army because there is a God and His had was on George Washington from an early age, IMHO.
Bump
Interestingly, I heard a Park Ranger question whether GW murdered the French officer at the 1754 engagement in PA.
Always the attempt to tear down probably the Greatest American.
I believe it was one of the Indians who opened the skull of the Frenchman and washed his hands with his brains. No one ever accused Washington of it, but since he was in command...He did sign a surrender at Ft. Necessity that, not knowing French, took responsibility for his death.
He enters the world’s stage in his 20s. The King of England, George II, knew his name and he played a big part in starting a world war.
Great history, thanks
Damn, he was a Colonel at 22?
That’s a pretty common posit.
The governor basically stated as much, at least that he signed off on “murdering” him. Not directly, but the ambush being murder.
And yes, he is the greatest American (at least naturalized!) and I think the greatest man, period.
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I’ve been to Jumonville Canyon near Uniontown, Pa., where the Third Silesian War, aka the French and Indian War began. Hard to believe a global war started in such a secluded place.
My 6th GGF Capt Timothy McGinnis was killed in this war at the Battle of Bloody Pond, Lake George, NY, Sept 8/9 1755
If I thought the United States of America was bringing people closer to Him, I might give it some credence.
I don't think there is any question that the officer died while being held in captivity under Washington's command; the French were incensed about it once they learned of it.
About 15 miles from me as the crow flies.
In 1739 arrived among us from Ireland the Reverend Mr. Whitefield, who had made himself remarkable there as an itinerant preacher. He was at first permitted to preach in some of our churches; but the clergy, taking a dislike to him, soon refus'd him their pulpits, and he was oblig'd to preach in the fields. The multitudes of all sects and denominations that attended his sermons were enormous, and it was matter of speculation to me, who was one of the number, to observe the extraordinary influence of his oratory on his hearers, and how much they admir'd and respected him, notwithstanding his common abuse of them, by assuring them that they were naturally half beasts and half devils. It was wonderful to see the change soon made in the manners of our inhabitants. From being thoughtless or indifferent about religion, it seem'd as if all the world were growing religious, so that one could not walk thro' the town in an evening without hearing psalms sung in different families of every street.
And it being found inconvenient to assemble in the open air, subject to its inclemencies, the building of a house to meet in was no sooner propos'd, and persons appointed to receive contributions, but sufficient sums were soon receiv'd to procure the ground and erect the building, which was one hundred feet long and seventy broad, about the size of Westminster Hall; and the work was carried on with such spirit as to be finished in a much shorter time than could have been expected. Both house and ground were vested in trustees, expressly for the use of any preacher of any religious persuasion who might desire to say something to the people at Philadelphia; the design in building not being to accommodate any particular sect, but the inhabitants in general; so that even if the Mufti of Constantinople were to send a missionary to preach Mohammedanism to us, he would find a pulpit at his service.
Mr. Whitefield, in leaving us, went preaching all the way thro' the colonies to Georgia. The settlement of that province had lately been begun, but, instead of being made with hardy, industrious husbandmen, accustomed to labor, the only people fit for such an enterprise, it was with families of broken shop-keepers and other insolvent debtors, many of indolent and idle habits, taken out of the jails, who, being set down in the woods, unqualified for clearing land, and unable to endure the hardships of a new settlement, perished in numbers, leaving many helpless children unprovided for. The sight of their miserable situation inspir'd the benevolent heart of Mr. Whitefield with the idea of building an Orphan House there, in which they might be supported and educated. Returning northward, he preach'd up this charity, and made large collections, for his eloquence had a wonderful power over the hearts and purses of his hearers, of which I myself was an instance.
Bump
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