How a 22-year-old George Washington learned how to lead, from a series of mistakes in the Pennsylvania wilderness

Washington’s fundamental character as a military leader was forged in the Ohio River Valley, where he also inadvertently helped ignite the French and Indian War.

By: Christopher Magra, University of Tennessee, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: February 10, 2026

Words: 1,175

Last Updated: 1 month ago

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By Christopher Magra, University of Tennessee

This Presidents Day, I’ve been thinking about George Washington − not at his finest hour, but possibly at his worst.

In 1754, a 22-year-old Washington marched into the wilderness surrounding Pittsburgh with more ambition than sense. He volunteered to travel to the Ohio Valley on a mission to deliver a letter from Robert Dinwiddie, governor of Virginia, to the commander of French troops in the Ohio territory. This …

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