Life of George Washington, volume 2 of 5

In Short

Washington Irving details the American Revolutionary War from General Washington's assumption of command at Cambridge in 1775 through the critical early campaigns of 1776. As the fledgling Continental Army attempts to forge an effective fighting force out of raw militia, it faces severe shortages of powder, internal rivalries, and the task of confronting well-equipped British forces. The narrative spans the siege of Boston, the ill-fated invasion of Canada, the loss of New York City, and the desperate retreat across New Jersey. It concludes with Washington's bold counterstroke at Trenton and Princeton, showing how his steadfast patience and strategic resolve preserve the revolutionary cause.

The Story

The volume opens in July 1775 as George Washington arrives in Cambridge to take command of the army besieging Boston. He immediately confronts staggering operational hurdles: a desperate scarcity of gunpowder, an absence of military discipline, short-term enlistments, and lines so extended and weak that a concerted British assault could shatter them. Alongside reliable subordinates like Israel Putnam and Nathanael Greene, Washington labors to build defensive earthworks, enforce strict discipline, and maintain a precarious blockade of the city under British General William Howe.

While Washington holds the line at Boston, the theater of war expands into Canada. Benedict Arnold leads a punishing march through the wilderness toward Quebec, while Philip Schuyler and Richard Montgomery press northern operations. Montgomery captures Montreal and joins Arnold before Quebec, but their winter assault ends in disaster: Montgomery is killed, Arnold is wounded, and Daniel Morgan's force is captured. Sickness and British reinforcements eventually force the battered remnants of the American army to retreat out of Canada, exposing the northern frontier.

Back in Massachusetts, Washington secures a major victory in March 1776. By fortifying Dorchester Heights overnight, he forces Howe to evacuate Boston. The focus of the war immediately shifts to New York, where Washington anticipates the main British strike. Upon moving his forces to Manhattan and Long Island, Washington discovers widespread disaffection, uncovering a Loyalist plot in the city that leads to the execution of a member of his own guard for mutiny.

Summer brings a massive British fleet to New York Harbor. British forces defeat the Americans at the Battle of Long Island, but Washington executes a masterly cover of night evacuation across the East River to save his army from total destruction. Skirmishes follow at Harlem Heights and White Plains, yet British pressure and internal miscalculations force the surrender of Fort Washington, resulting in the loss of nearly three thousand men and critical supplies.

Disaster threatens the revolutionary enterprise as winter approaches. Washington retreats across New Jersey with a dwindling, barefoot, and dispirited force, pursued by General Cornwallis. Sectional jealousies and insubordination weaken his command, while General Charles Lee acts independently before being captured by British cavalry. With enlistments expiring at the end of the year, Washington chooses a high-stakes gamble. Crossing the ice-choked Delaware River on Christmas night 1776, he surprises the Hessian garrison at Trenton, follows up with a tactical victory at Princeton, and re-establishes American confidence from his winter quarters at Morristown.

How It Unfolds

Commanding at Cambridge Washington arrives at head-quarters to find an unorganized assembly of regional militias rather than a disciplined army. He works tirelessly alongside General Putnam to construct fortifications and secure basic ammunition, maintaining a fragile siege despite a critical shortage of gunpowder.

The Northern Enterprise American forces launch an ambitious two-pronged invasion of Canada to bring the province into the Revolutionary fold. Montgomery captures Montreal, while Arnold marches through the Maine wilderness to assault Quebec, though the initiative ultimately ends in defeat and a grueling retreat.

Evacuating Boston By occupying and fortifying Dorchester Heights overnight, Washington places the British fleet and garrison under direct threat. Realizing his position is untenable, General Howe evacuates his troops by sea, giving the Continental Army its first major territorial triumph.

The Campaign for New York Operations move to Manhattan and Long Island, where Washington attempts to defend the region against superior British naval and land forces. After defeat on Long Island, Washington executes a quiet midnight evacuation across the East River, preserving his army to fight delayed actions at Harlem Heights and White Plains.

Retreat across the Jerseys Following the fall of Fort Washington, the Continental Army retreats across New Jersey under severe duress. As civilian support wanes and short-term enlistments expire, Washington maintains composure despite insubordination from generals like Lee and Gates.

The Delaware Counterstroke Recognizing that inaction will cause the army to dissolve, Washington leads his troops across the icy Delaware River on Christmas night. He surprises the Hessian garrison at Trenton and outmaneuvers Cornwallis at Princeton, restoring morale to the revolutionary cause.

The People

George Washington The Commander-in-Chief seeks to weld regional militias into a unified army capable of outlasting British power. Hindered by severe supply shortages, short enlistments, and political feuds, he responds with patience, firm discipline, and tactical adaptability, transforming near-total defeat into dramatic success by the end of 1776.

Philip Schuyler Commanding the Northern Department, Schuyler works to secure Canada and fortify Ticonderoga. He struggles continuously against physical illness, bad discipline, and intense regional prejudice from New England troops, remaining loyal despite public attacks on his character.

Horatio Gates Appointed Adjutant-General, Gates uses his professional background to help organize the army's administrative structures. However, his ambition and resentment over not receiving higher independent command lead him to distance himself from Washington and cultivate political influence in Congress.

Benedict Arnold A commander of immense energy and daring, Arnold desires rapid military glory. He leads a taxing expedition through the wilderness to Quebec and fights bravely at its gates, though his prickly demeanor and conflicts with administrative committees foreshadow future friction.

Charles Lee A veteran officer who views his own military intellect as superior to Washington's. He operates with considerable independence, frequently offering unsolicited advice or ignoring directives, until his capture by a British patrol in New Jersey abruptly ends his command.

In Its Own Voice

“You seem, general,” said Washington, “to have the faculty of infusing your own spirit into all the workmen you employ;”—and it was the fact.

Washington commends General Putnam's unmatched energy in rapidly throwing up defensive earthworks around the Cambridge camp to secure the army's weak lines.

“It is not in the power of any man to command success, but you have done more, you have deserved it..."

Writing to Benedict Arnold during the arduous Canadian expedition, Washington expresses his deep appreciation for the officer's relentless perseverance in the face of brutal operational conditions.

“Good God! General Mifflin!” cried Washington, “I am afraid you have ruined us by so unseasonably withdrawing the troops from the lines.”

During the delicate midnight evacuation from Long Island, Washington reacts with sudden horror when an aide's miscommunicated order prematurely pulls the covering guard away from the front lines.

What It's Really About

The volume examines how leadership operates when stripped of adequate resources, unified authority, and trained manpower. Irving shows that the early Revolutionary War was less a series of grand military maneuvers than a grueling administrative battle against organizational decay. The central conflict lies between Washington's vision of a disciplined national effort and the realities of short-term enlistments, regional feuds, and local self-interest.

The text highlights the contrast between professional military standards and an untrained civilian population fighting for self-governance. Irving illustrates how Washington's character—marked by forbearance, self-control, and moral firmness—serves as the primary binding force holding the cause together through periods of military failure.

Why Read It Today

This narrative provides a grounded, unvarnished look at the American Revolution during its most precarious year. Rather than presenting a smooth progression toward independence, Irving captures the constant friction, panic, and disorganization that defined the patriot cause in 1775 and 1776. Readers who enjoy detailed historical narrative will appreciate Irving's focus on primary correspondence, showing how commanders managed logistical crises in real time.

The prose remains clear, balance-driven, and accessible, though readers should anticipate period syntax and detailed accounts of military movements. Irving does not gloss over the harsh realities of the era, recording the execution of traitors, the destruction of civilian property, and the severe hardships endured by ordinary soldiers. What stays with the reader is the portrait of an army repeatedly brought to the brink of collapse, saved ultimately not by overwhelming force, but by quiet endurance and strategic resolve.