Teacher

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.

To this noble end the delegates had pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.

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

…Had proven himself a leader of remarkable ability, a man not only of enterprising ideas, but with the staying power to carry them out.

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.

The first of all qualities of a general is courage.

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.

Seeing things as they were, not as he would wish they were, was known to be one of Washington’s salient strengths.

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.

It was an utterly phenomenal achievement.

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