  
                      "56 days of Decision" 
                   (May 10,1775 - July 4, 1775) 

Very Few Americans have a knowledge of what happened to George
Washington between May 10 and July 4, 1775.  It might be said that
the fate of our Country was placed into the hands of Washington by
the Continental Congress during that period
  
George Washington had been sent to the first Continental Congress
to represent Virginia, however he had not been placed on a single
committee, nor had he taken an active part in the proceedings, at
least there is no record of his having said a single word for
posterity.
  
When the second Congress convened at Philadelphia on May 10,
Washington was made a member of the committee to study and draw  up
a plan of defense for New York.  Washington's military experience
during the French and Indian War for some reason set  him apart
from the rest of the members of Congress, as a man of  military
ability.  At that date Congress did not expect a long conflict,
they were hopeful that Lord North would soon be recalled to England
and a new ministry would be selected and the  unpleasantness
between the mother country would be quickly forgotten.
  
Despite their enthusiasm, they were faced with the unyielding fact
that they had a war on their hands. They might talk and vote  all
they wanted, but they had little money or supplies to back up
their words. The Colonies had no industry to speak of, they might
raise an army of men, but they could not feed, clothe, arm,
shelter, or transport the army.
  
Washington pondered the first complete account of the fighting at
Lexington and Concord, and saw that the Colonials did possess one
element essential for success, the spirit to stand up to the
British regulars.  In a letter written to George William Fairfax,
who was in England at that time and who had placed the management
of his plantation in the hands of Washington, Washington gave him
an analysis of the Lexington-Concord fight.
  
"Philadelphia, May 31, 1775" "Before this letter can reach you, you
must undoubtedly have received an account of the engagement in
Massachusetts Bay between the Ministerial Troops and the
Provincials of that Government, But as you may not have heard how
that affair began,  I inclose you the several affidavits that were
taken after the action......" ( The letter goes on in detail as to
the action on  both sides. This letter was very fair to both sides,
as Washington found good and bad on both sides and expressed
himself  to his friend, almost as if he was seeking his advice on
the political aspects which he might expect in the future.)
  
One of the first orders of business of this second Congress was  to
give aid to the forces in Boston who were besieged by the British,
But Congress, then like today, spent so much time in debate, they
were somewhat taken back by the news that the Colonials led by
Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen had captured Fort Ticonderoga. This
incident could not be blamed on the aggression of the British
troops, as was Lexington and Concord.
  
Some of the nimbler minds in Congress worked out a resolution
justifying the seizure as necessary to protect the Colonies from
invasion from Quebec.  Congress also sent word that the cannon and
other arms were to be safely stored until the Mother Britain  and
the Colonies should settle their differences, for they still
believed that independence was not entirely necessary. Congress
also decided that the Army in Boston should become part of the
United Colonial Army, and that raised the question of who should
have top command. Many New Englanders favored Artemas Ward, a
veteran of the French and Indian War, and commander in Chief of
the Massachusetts troops.  A few spoke of Charles Lee, a
professional soldier who had served with the British, and as a
soldier of fortune on the Continent. There were others who were
more or less local favorites, and then there was Washington.  Not
only was he highly regarded for his military experience but also
for his personal qualities, his election was urged by some, and
especially John Adams because the choice of a Virginian would help
to dispell a common notion that New England was attempting  to
dominate the rest of the Colonies. In mid June, Washington made two
brief entries in his journal. "14 June (1775). Dined at  Mr. Saml.
Merediths, spent the evening at his home. "15 june. Dined at Burn's
in the Field. Spent the evening on a committee to  draft rules and
regulations for the government of the Army." The diary entries do
not mention that on June 14th John Adams rose to nominate
Washington for Commander-in-Chief, or that Washington had modestly
slipped out the side door, or that the next day Washington, who was
still absent, was unanimously elected. On June 16th Washington was
formally notified and he made a formal acceptance as follows.
  
"Philadelphia, June 16, 1775" "Tho' I am truly sensible of the high
honor done me in this appointment, yet I feel great distress from a
conciousness that  my ability and military experience may not be
equal to the extensive and important trust; However, as the
Congress desires I  will enter upon the momentous duty, & exert
every power I Possess in their service for the support of the
glorious Cause; I  beg they will accept my cordial thanks for this
distinguished testimony of their Approbation. "But lest some
unlucky event should happen unfavorable to my reputation, I beg it
may be remembered by every Gentn. in the room, that I this day
declare  with the utmost sincerity, I do not think myself equal to
the Command I am honored with.  "As to pay, Sirs, I beg leave to
assure the Congress that as no pecuniary could have tempted me to
have accepted this Arduous employment at the expence of my
domestik. ease and Happiness.  I do mot wish to make any profit
from it; I will keep an exact account of my expences; those I doubt
not they will discharge & that is all I desire." -       -        -
"Go. Washington."
  
Two days later General Washington wrote a letter to Martha in which
he broke the news to Martha of his new command, He also spoke to
her of his love and desire to be with her rather than to  take
command of the Army, Although he spoke of returning to Mount
Vernon in the Fall, he still finished the letter with an air of
uncertainty as to what the future might hold for the both of them.
  
Washington also wrote a letter to Jack Custis on June 20, urging
him to move his family to Mount Vernon, and to his brother John
Augustine he wrote of his heavy burden of responsibility.
  
The choice of George Washington as Commanding General, seen in the
light of after-thought, proved to be wise, but at the time there
were many who doubted the wisdom.  Washington had never commanded
large bodies of men, had never led troops in battle on  an open
field, had never handled artillery or cavalry.  Yet the  various
other men put forward at that time as candidates for Commander in
Chief, such as, Charles Lee, Israel Putnam, Artemas  Ward, and
others, were all to fall into eclipse before the end of  the War
through ineptitude, improper behavior, or mischance. Congress had
put the fate of America in the right hands.
  
At that moment the fate of the Colonies lay with the citizen
Soldier before Boston, and Washington was impatient to get there.
 
Washington arrived at Cambridge on July 2nd and established his
headquarters there outside of Boston, On July 3rd he assumed
command of the Army from Artemas Ward, who was reduced to second
in command as one of Congress's new Major Generals. Washington also
delivered a Major General's Commission to Israel Putnam a
Connecticut Yankee fresh from the Battle of Bunker Hill.  The New
Commander applied himself to the task of strengthening
fortifications, instilling discipline, bolstering morale, improving
camp sanitation, and taking care of the multitude of other details
of military command. Within a day he issued his first extended
orders to the Army.   Washington issued his first  General Orders
on July 4, 1775. In the conservation of time it is  not practical
to read the entire general order, however when we  think of a great
man, we wonder what his thoughts may have been  at such a time and
what a man like  Washington might select as the first password and
countersign to be issued by his officers  and men. Let us now read
a portion of those first general orders,  remembering that the word
Parole was the same as Password.
  
" Headquarters, Cambridge, July 4, 1775. " Parol - Abington.
Countersign - Bedford. " Exact returns to be made by the proper
officers of all the provisions, Ordanances, Ordanance stores,
Powder, Lead, Tents, Camp Kettles, and all other stores belonging
to the Armies,.....etc........"
  
Washington went on for eight pages of handwritten instructions in
that first general orders. 
  
Also from the General Orders of Aug. 4th 1775 the Parole was London
and the Counersign, Ireland.
  
On August 1st, Washington had the first complete inventory of his
army. He learned the shocking fact of how weak they really were.
He had been told they had barely adequate 308 barrels of gunpowder
when he only had a meager 90 barrels, not enough for nine rounds
per man and nothing for the artillery.
  
Washington's appeal to Congress fell on deaf ears, and if it were
not for the supplies which the colonials were able to confiscate
from the British, Washington might not have been able to hold out
as long as he did.  Washington's retreat to New York and then into
Pennsylvania was only due to the fact they had very little  to
fight with.  It was only when the War began to get closer to
Philadelphia and the Congress, that the talkers stopped talking
and began to act.  Washington then began to get supplies. Military
Historians who have poured over the records are amazed  as to how
Washinton was able to hold an army together and put up  any sort of
resistance against a well trained and provisioned British Army.  As
one historian wrote. " Was it devine providence? Was it the grace
of God?  Surely the Lord must have walked beside  and guided
Washington throughout the entire war, there can be no  other
explanation."
  
And that my brothers is what happened during those 56 days from
May 10th, to July 4, 1775. 
  
