Life of George Washington: A Review of Volume II by Washington Irving

February 19, 2026

1. The Siege of Boston and the Canadian Gamble

Washington’s arrival in Boston was a wake-up call. He found a collection of disorganized regional militias rather than a professional army. While Washington struggled to bluff the British into believing he had ample supplies, the book highlights a fascinating parallel to the Civil War: the "gentlemanly" civility between opposing officers. An exchange between Washington and British General Gage regarding the treatment of POWs reveals a deep-seated tension—Gage refused to recognize American ranks, viewing the colonists as mere rebels rather than "brethren" or legitimate soldiers.

While the main army remained in a stalemate at Boston, a daring, dual-pronged invasion of Canada was launched:

• The Mission:Benedict Arnold and General Montgomery attempted to seize Quebec.
• The Disaster:Battling a brutal winter and expiring enlistments, the attack failed. Montgomery was killed, and Arnold was wounded. The retreat from Canada marked a sobering early defeat for the revolutionary cause.

2. The Move to New York: A Near Catastrophe

After successfully fortifying the heights around Boston and forcing General Howe to evacuate, Washington correctly predicted the British would target New York City. This section introduces a young, "loquacious" Alexander Hamilton and touches on the ratification of the Declaration of Independence, noting that while July 2nd was the legal milestone, July 4th became the date of public communication.

The defense of New York, however, was nearly the end of the war:

• Numerical Superiority: The British arrived with a massive fleet and thousands of Hessian mercenaries.
• The Battle of Long Island: A tactical disaster where the British outflanked the Americans through an unguarded pass.
• The Great Escape: In one of the most brilliant maneuvers of the war, Washington used a midnight fog to silently evacuate his troops across the East River, saving the army from total annihilation.

3. The Low Point: Despondency and Betrayal

The loss of New York City and the fall of Fort Washington sent the American cause into a tailspin. As the army retreated through New Jersey, Washington faced "despondency" on all sides:

• Internal Strife: General Charles Lee began undermining Washington’s authority in private letters, stalling his movements instead of reinforcing the Commander-in-Chief.
• The Vanishing Army: With enlistments ending and the "Jersey Blues" seeing the revolution as a lost cause, Washington’s numbers dwindled to a terrifying low.

4. The Turning Tide: Trenton and Princeton

Desperate for a victory to keep the revolution alive, Washington orchestrated the legendary Crossing of the Delaware.

• Trenton: A surprise strike on a Hessian outpost that provided the much-needed morale boost and military stores.
• Princeton: After General Cornwallis arrived to retaliate, Washington performed another "night march" miracle. He bypassed Cornwallis’s main force, struck the British at Princeton, and retreated into the safety of the mountains.

Conclusion: A Dictator by Necessity

The chapter concludes with a radical shift in American governance. Recognizing that a committee cannot run a war, the Continental Congress granted Washington broad, near-dictatorial powers. The amateur general had survived the "Crucible of 1776," emerging not just as a leader, but as the indispensable center of the American effort.

Timeline of the "Year of Living Dangerously"

1775: The Siege Begins

• July: Washington takes command of the Continental Army outside Boston.
• December 31: Battle of Quebec. Montgomery is killed; Arnold is wounded; the Americans are forced to retreat from Canada.

1776: Independence and Near-Extinction

• March: Washington fortifies Dorchester Heights; the British evacuate Boston by sea.
• July 2–4: The Continental Congress votes for independence and ratifies the Declaration of Independence.
• August 27: Battle of Long Island. The British outflank the Americans, leading to a massive defeat.
• August 29: The "Miracle Fog." Washington successfully evacuates his army across the East River to Manhattan.
• September–November: The British take New York City; Fort Washington falls; the American army retreats across New Jersey.
• December 25–26: Crossing of the Delaware. Washington strikes the Hessians at Trenton in a daring Christmas night raid.

1777: Momentum Shifts

• January 3: Battle of Princeton. Washington outmaneuvers Cornwallis, wins another victory, and settles into winter quarters at Morristown.
• Early 1777: The Continental Congress grants Washington "dictatorial powers" to manage the war effort more efficiently.

Note for Readers: This period is often called the "Times that Try Men's Souls." It marks the transition from a collection of angry colonies to a unified military force under a single, central leader.