Happy Birthday, George

Today is George Washington's birthday. How we ever got to celebrate "Presidents' Day" I will never understand. But I digress.

I was moved several months ago when I read David McCullough's book, 1776. There is an account of Washington that blew me away.

Joseph Reed, Washington's aide-de-camp and secretary, had sent a letter, with one of Washington's, to General Lee. This was after the order to abandon Fort Washington in New York, in the face of an overwhelming British force. McCullough writes:

"Reed's letter was a stunning indictment of Washington. At best, it could be taken as a desperate indiscretion; at worst, an underhanded act of betrayal.

His commander's indecision over whether to abandon New York and again at Fort Washington had left Reed badly shaken. His confidence in Washington was shattered. But instead of confiding his feelings to Washington, he secretly poured them out to Lee, leaving no doubt as to who he thought should be leading the army in its hour of need.

He wished 'most earnestly' to have Lee 'where the principle scene of action is laid,' Reed wrote, seconding what Washington had said. Then, claiming he had no wish to flatter Lee, he went on to do just that and to make his main point.

I do not mean to flatter or praise you at the expense of any other, but I confess I do think it is entirely owing to you that this army, and the liberties of America, so far as they are dependent on it, are not totally cut off...You have decision, a quality often wanted in minds otherwise valuable...Oh! General, an indecisive mind is one of the greatest misfortunes that can befall an army. How often have I lamented it this campaign. All circumstances considered, we are in a very awful and alarming situation--one that requires the utmost wisdom and firmness of mind. As soon as the season will admit, I think yourself and some others should go to Congress and form the plan of the new army." (p. 248-249)

There follows this account of Washington, some days later.

On November 30 at Brunswick, a sealed letter from General Lee to Joseph Reed arrived by express rider. With Reed still absent, Washington tore it open thinking it might be news that Lee and his men were at last on the way. The letter was dated November 24. "My dear Reed," it began.

I received your most obliging, flattering letter--lament with you that fatal indecision of mind which in war is a much greater disqualification than stupidity or even want of personal courage. Accident may put a decisive blunder in the right, but eternal defeat and miscarriage must attend the men of the best parts if cursed with indecision.

Lee went on to explain why he had not started for New Jersey as Washington had wished, and apparently did ot intend to do so.

What Washington thought or felt as he read the letter, or how many times he may have reread the first paragraph, no one knows. Clearly Reed, his trusted confidant and friend, and Lee, his second-in-command, had both lost faith in him.

Washington resealed the letter and sent it off to Reed with a note of explanation.

The enclosed was put into my hands by an express [rider]...Having no idea of its being a private letter...I opened it...This, as it is the truth, must be my excuse for seeing the contents of a letter which neither inclination or intention would have prompted me to.

He thanked Reed for the 'trouble and fatigue' of his journey to Burlington and wished him success in his mission. And that was all." (pp. 254-255)

Amazing! A private letter addressed to someone else, opened by mistake, but with severe criticism of Washington. And Washington reads one paragraph, stops, seals it, and sends it on with an apology. Surely, it was a different era. And only a truly great man could have done such a thing. Impressive.

Happy Birthday, George. We are a richer country for your life and leadership.