Working my way through David McCullough's "1776". Interesting to read about the failures of Washington at the battle of Brooklyn. In the chapters portraying this phase of the war, Washington is described by many as "indecisive and inept." This is the first I've ever read of the shortcomings of Washington. He has always been characterized as flawless.

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Originally posted by TWL:
Working my way through David McCullough's "1776". Interesting to read about the failures of Washington at the battle of Brooklyn. In the chapters portraying this phase of the war, Washington is described by many as "indecisive and inept." This is the first I've ever read of the shortcomings of Washington. He has always been characterized as flawless.

I think Washington had to learn his way to winning. It happens with other leaders in other wars.

Yes, and the regular army had minimal training and equipment. His prior military experience was as a British officer in the French and Indian wars commanding extremely well trained and experienced soldiers. He had to learn the capabilities and limits of the Continental Army the hard way, especially being a citizen army with a mindset closer to the militias of the day. Time and need improved both Washington and the army.

David Barton runs an outfit called "Wall Builders" and has a very religious orientation. He has a couple books and tapes on Geo Washington. By any reason he should have lost. As said, what he had to work with was "a joke" vs. the British, but for some reason the British seemed bent on losing. Divine intervention. Not politically correct today, but much believe in then by ALL, including Geo.

Another point, the founding fathers rebelled against "the king" and because the king was a "nut" (alledgedly syphillic insanity, inherited) and had no shortage of agreement/support in Parliament with whom Mr. Nuts also feuded... Happy New Year.

NEVER UNDERESTIMATE YOUR ENEMY! big British mistake.

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I think Washington had to learn his way to winning. It happens with other leaders in other wars.

Absolutely! washington was no military ghenuis. His greatness stems from keeping the Continental Army intact and functioning under horrific circumstances. The Continental Army did have some tactical talent, such as Benedict Arnold, Nathaniel Greene, etc.

That would be before "Valley Forge" the myth is that the Continental army were poorly supported and what have you in winter quarters. Well they were not, The German von Stuben showed up and when they came out of Winter Quarters they became a real Army. Stuben wrote the first manual of Arms for the Continentals. George Washington's genius here was a simple one, he didn't have to win every battle, he just didn't have to loose. Keeping the Army in tact was the means, and Saratoga brought in the French, and Yorktown, ended the war. The months spent at "Valley Forge" was the most important months of the whole war, and out of that humble camp, all became possible.