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Letter from George Washington to John Augustine Washington (July 18, 1755)

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Letter from George Washington to John Augustine Washington (July 18Letter from George Washington to John Augustine Washington (July 18
CONTEXT

In this letter to his brother John Augustine Washington, dated July 18, 1755, George Washington describes the defeat that General Edward Braddock and his army of British regulars faced at the hands of a smaller contingent of French soldiers and Indian allies. Washington served on Braddock’s staff as a volunteer aide, and while he escaped unscathed, Braddock was killed.

Author: George WashingtonTranscription Source: George Washington Papers – Library of Congress

FULL TEXT

To John Augustine Washington

Letter from George Washington to John Augustine Washington (July 18

Letter from George Washington to John Augustine Washington (July 18, 1755), Page 1

Fort Cumberland, Md., 18 July 1755]

To Mr Jno. Auge Washington, Mo.t Vernon.

Dear Brother,

As I have heard; since my arrival at this place, a circumstantial account of my death and dying speech; I take this early opportunity of contradicting the first, and of assuring you, that I have not, as yet, composed the latter.—But, by the All-powerful Dispensations of Providence, I have been protected beyond all human probability or expectation; for I had four Bullets through my Coat, and two Horses shot under me; yet escaped unhurt, altho[ugh] Death was leveling my Companions on every side of me!

We have been most scandalously beaten by a trifling body of men;—but fatigue, and want of time, prevent me from giving you any of the details, untill I have the happiness of seeing you at Mount Vernon; which I now most ardently wish for, since we are drove in thus far.—A weak and feeble state of Health, obliges me to halt here for two or three days to recover a little strength, that I may thereby

— page 2 —
Letter from George Washington to John Augustine Washington (July 18

Letter from George Washington to John Augustine Washington (July 18, 1755), Page 2

be enabled to proceed homewards with more ease: You may expect to see me there, on Saturday or Sunday fortnight, which is as soon as I can well be down; as I shall take my Bullskin Plantations in my way.—Pray give my compliments to all my Friends.—I am, Dr Jack,

Your most aff.e Brother,
G. W——n

FURTHER READING
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  • Narrative Account of George Washington’s Death by Tobias Lear (December 15, 1799)
  • George Washington’s Last Will and Testament (July 9, 1799)
  • A Funeral Oration on the Death of George Washington by Henry Lee Jr.
  • Letter from John Adams to Benjamin Rush (April 22, 1812)
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CITE THIS ENTRY
APA Citation:
Washington, George. Letter from George Washington to John Augustine Washington (July 18, 1755). (2020, December 07). In Encyclopedia Virginia. https://encyclopediavirginia.org/entries/letter-from-george-washington-to-john-augustine-washington-july-18-1755.
MLA Citation:
Washington, George. "Letter from George Washington to John Augustine Washington (July 18, 1755)" Encyclopedia Virginia. Virginia Humanities, (07 Dec. 2020). Web. 07 Dec. 2023
Last updated: 2021, February 08
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