In fact, it was the largest expeditionary force of the 18th century. The largest, most powerful force ever set forth from Britain or any nation.

They must be cool but determined…he threatened instant death to any man who showed cowardice.

The preparations were elaborate and mammoth in scale, and Washington threw himself into the effort, demanding that not an hour be lost.

Washington was a man of exceptional, almost excessive self-command, rarely permitting himself any show of discouragement or despair.

He had kept his head, kept his health and his strength, bearing up under a weight of work and worry that only a few could have carried.

It was an utterly phenomenal achievement.

Just as he had shown no signs of despair when prospects looked bleak, he now showed no elation in what he wrote or in his outward manner or comments.

Washington had performed his role to perfection. It was no enough that a leader look the part; by Washington’s rules, he must know how to act it with self-command and precision.

With the situation as gray as it could be, no one was more conspicuous in his calm presence of mind than Washington. They must be “cool but determined” he had told the men before the battle, when spirits were high. Now, in the face of catastrophe, he was demonstrating what he meant by his own example. Whatever anger or torment or despair he felt, he kept to himself.

[On Knox:]…despite…repeated mishaps that would have broken lesser spirits several times over.

Washington had no illusions about the difficulties to be faced. He was gravely, realistically apprehensive about the magnitude of the enemy force in route.

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