Revolutionary America! Where Did We Go From There? Fate of America--Commander in chief, George Washington

Fate of America

Commander in Chief--George Washington

photo of exhibit section

COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF

GEORGE WASHINGTON realized he could not win the war by engaging in huge battles. He devised a new strategy of defensive war designed to allow small victories against British power, often by feigning retreat and then circling back for unexpected strikes. When Congress turned over full military responsibility to Washington in 1777, he could easily have controlled all of America. Instead he wielded the authority necessary to make command decisions but kept Congress fully updated to the needs and actions of his army. His calm, tough realism won over many a detractor.

In this photo:
FLAG (reproduction) flown by Washington at Valley Forge by the Life Guard - a few men hand-picked from each colony to protect the General
BOOKS from the library of George Washington, presented as gifts to President Herbert Hoover
	On loan from the collection of:
		--Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, West Branch IA
BRONZE BUST of George Washington, after Jean Antoine Houdon who modeled at least one bust and a life mask at Mount Vernon in October 1785
OIL PAINTING "Washington Crossing the Delaware" (see "Fate of America")
		--Claude and Jeanne Harkins
SILVER PISTOLS engraved "King" and on the obverse "London" on decorative panels. Wooden pistol butts are decorated with a tracery of silver inlay; the heel is in the form of a lion's face.
PORTABLE FIELD DESK of General Washington, later given by Washington to Chief Justice John Marshall
CAMP FORKS of General Washington, given by Washington to Major General Morgan Lewis.
		--Society of the Cincinnati Headquarters, Museum and Library at Anderson House, Washington D.C.
RECEIPT for veal signed by Gibbs, leader of Washington's Life Guard, at West Point headquarters, 1779
		--Robert G. Oswald

*Where Did We Go From There?* Sub-Sections
A Confederation
The Continental Army
	Musketfire
The Continental Navy
	Father of the Navy--John Paul Jones
Fate of America
	Commander-In-Chief, George Washington (You are here)
Saratoga
	Official Flag