4 General Washington’s Man

CHAPTER 4 General Washington's Man All of Alexander's studying about battle strategy and military exercises paid off when he became a captain in the army. People had already heard of his bravery in New York, and many military leaders wanted to work with him. The most important of these was none other than George Washington himself.

George Washington (1732–1799) George Washington was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia. His father was a tobacco farmer who owned two plantations and many slaves. George inherited one of these properties, called Mount Vernon, after his father died. He became a major in the Virginia militia in his early twenties and fought in the French and Indian War. He sided with the Iroquois Indians against French colonists.

Washington was appointed commander in chief of the Continental Army in 1775. He was elected the first president of the United States in a landslide election in 1789 and served two terms before retiring. He died in 1799 of a fever. George Washington's portrait has been printed on the dollar bill since 1869. Washington and Alexander fought together at the Battle of White Plains in October 1776. Two months later, on December 25, Alexander joined Washington in a surprise attack. In Trenton, New Jersey, there was a force of Hessians (say: HESH-ans)—German soldiers fighting for the British. Washington and his men were in Pennsylvania. Late at night they crossed the Delaware River that separated them from the British forces. The river was dangerous that time of year—icy and rough. It was a risk. But it paid off when Washington's troops defeated the Hessians and returned to Pennsylvania with all their supplies. Alexander had been sick when Washington was planning the attack, but he got out of bed and led an eight-mile march through the snow to join his commander. Alexander always wanted to

be out on the field fighting. He didn't like to sit on the sidelines. At this time, he commanded a regiment of sixty-eight men. Alexander was a popular leader. He expected hard work from the men in his regiment, but he was known for the respect he showed every one of them. It was no surprise when a few weeks later Washington asked Alexander to be his assistant.

General Washington also gave him a promotion to lieutenant colonel. Alexander was only twenty-two years old. Another young man who made quite an impression on Washington was a nineteen-year- old Frenchman called the Marquis de Lafayette. Alexander and Lafayette quickly became good friends. Since Alexander could speak French, he could translate Lafayette's words for Washington. On June 28, 1778, all three men—Alexander, Lafayette, and General Washington—fought together at the Battle of Monmouth in Freehold, New Jersey. It was a fierce battle. As Alexander rode into the fight, his horse was shot out right from under him, and he had to be carried off the field. But as the sun set, the British retreated and Alexander was reunited with his friends.

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