George Washington: First in War, First in Peace, and First in the Hearts of His Countrymen

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George Washington | Lesson One

George Washington:
First in War,
First in Peace, and
First in the Hearts of His Countrymen

For Lesson One: Lesson Timeline

1753

October 31	Washington leads a Virginia expedition into the Ohio Valley to challenge French claims to the Allegheny River Valley.
November 25	The expedition reaches the Monongahela Rivers. Washington surveys fork of the Ohio River at the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers for location of a fort (Pittsburg).
December 11	Washington reaches French Fort LeBoeuf (Waterford, Pennsylvania).

1754

January 16	Washington returns to Williamsburg, Virginia.
Febuary 14	Governor Dinwiddie of Virginia convenes the House of Burgesses. Money is appropriated to equip troops. Washington is promoted to Lt. Colonel.
Febuary 17	Work begins on Fort Prince George at the site Washington suggested (Pittsburgh).
April 2	Washington leaves Alexandria, Virginia, with troops destined for Fort Prince George.
April 18	French force the English to abandon work on Fort Prince George. French work on completed fort now renamed Fort Duquesne. Washington is at Wills Creek when he receives news of the surrender of Fort Prince George.
May 25	Washington assumes command of the expedition on the accidental death of Colonel Fry.
May 27	Washington orders an attack on a French scouting party near Great Meadows. Construction begins on Fort Necessity.
July 3	French force Washington to surrender Fort Necessity.
July 17	Washington returns to Williamsburg.
October	Washington resigns his commission.

1755

February	Major General Edward Braddock arrives in Virginia.
April	Washington is appointed a volunteer aide-de-camp to General Braddock.
July 8	French defeat Gen. Braddock near Fort Duquesne. Braddock is wounded and dies on July 12. Washington is recognized for bravery under fire.
August	Washington is appointed colonel and made commander of reorganized Virginia colonial forces and given the responsibility for defending the frontier.

1756

March	John Campbell, Earl of Loudoun, is appointed commander of British forces in America.
May 18	Britain declares war on France. The Seven Years' War officially begins.

1757

March	Washington, in a letter to the Earl of Loudoun, summarizes events in the conflict over the Ohio Valley. Washington complains of the lack of financial support for the militia and expresses concern over low morale and desertions.
July	Washington orders execution of deserters to restore discipline.
September	Washington is accused of conspiracy to defraud funds for the war effort.

1758

November	French abandon Fort Duquesne. British take over site and rename it Fort Pitt (formerly Fort Prince George).
December	Washington resigns his commission. He is elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses where he represents Frederick county in the Shenandoah Valley until 1765. He then stands from election for Fairfax County and serves in the House of Burgesses until his appointment as Commander of the Continental Army in 1775.

1759

January 6

George Washington marries Martha Dandridge Custis.

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