Washington’s Unique Leadership During The Revolution

"The Constitution is a guide in which I will never abandon." -George Washington

            The end of the American Revolution, 1783, eight years in the making and all but lost by the Americans.  A decisive, joint victory would need to be achieved in order to turn the tide of the war.  One major factor that one could account for an eventual victory over the Kingdom of Britain was the outstanding leadership of American president George Washington.  Looking back a few years to 1776, the year that the Continental Congress decided these colonies should and would be free and independent states.  Based on the book’s 1776 by David McCullough, and Founding Gardens by Andrea Wulf, Washington’s decisions will be analyzed to determine distinguishing factors that won the American Revolution.  Emphasis will be placed on Washington’s extreme passion for horticulture and the effects there of.

            As Congress created the Continental Army on June 14; the next day it selected Washington as commander-in-chief, balance became Washington’s life.  He struggled to maintain discipline, demands from the people, competition as commander in chief, and the endless need for resources with which to feed the troops.  In Washington’s general orders to the Army, he specifically demands regimental gardens be planted to ease tensions of monetary balance.  “Soldiers collected seeds for their gardens with the help of the Quartermaster General who advertised in local newspapers for garden seeds.  Each officer's hut had its own kitchen garden” (Washington General Orders Issued to the Troops).
         People from all around would bring seeds from their own store to contribute to the Army’s cause.  Here, we see how the unique leadership of Washington, based on his background and hobby in horticulture, has directly contributed to the revolution’s survival and ability to fight on.  These “regimental gardens” would be ever growing, and ever moving.  The seeds would be carried as the Army moved, making it a cycle of never ending food (as long as the Army had time to plant, harvest, and gain new seeds).

            Another notable perspective on the war and Washington’s hobby does not come from the war front, but back home.  Mount Vernon, Washington’s home.  Washington used his personal garden to experiment on crop that would feed mass troops, maintain in harsh weather, and last long enough to be eaten.  As early as 1771, Washington was noted to test different types of grapes for these properties.  Many of which would die of diseases, he quickly learned possible candidates for mass feeding. 
         Washington was a firm believer in self-sustaining crop.  One the initial seed was purchased or donated; it was paramount that the Army be able to continue crop production with self-sustaining operations.  This would guarantee higher morale, health, fighting ability, and most importantly, the ability to live.  Again, we see Washington’s ability to think ahead and prepare for the worst, and again, we see how his ingenuity allowed America to be successful during the revolution.  

            Lastly, we will discuss something that is often overlooked in this story.  That being Washington’s personal morale and well-being.  As discussed in Wulf’s Founding Gardens, Washington would often thing and write on his home garden to take his mind off the war.  “Sometimes new planting schemes seemed to occupy his thoughts more than the desperate situation of his country and his men” (Wulf, Pg. 14).  It was his escape, from the pressure and struggles of war. 
           This should be noted, as another main distinguishing factor in the successful nature of the revolution.  The health and well-being of America’s Generals was key to victory.  As stated in McCullough’s 1776, during the beginning of the war, one massive distinction between forces was leadership.  During the end, the complete opposite was the reality.  Washington has groomed and created outstanding generals out of nothing. Again, this demonstrates outstanding, unique leadership.

            Through his regimental gardens, preparation before the war, and personal well-being, Washington’s unique relationship with horticulture successfully contributed to the victory in the American Revolution. This interesting relationship between the two ladder occurrences should be noted as easily one of the most unique and successful military operations of the time period.  It is truly amazing what President Washington accomplished with what limited resources, lowered morale, and lack of support.  President Washington: doing more with less.

Bibliography 

"Full Text of "General Orders of George Washington, Commander-in-Chief of the Army of Revolution, Issued at Newburgh on the Hudson, 1782-1783"" Full Text of "General Orders of George Washington, Commander-in-Chief of the Army of Revolution, Issued at Newburgh on the Hudson, 1782-1783" Ed. Edward C. Boynton. Web. 03 Dec. 2013.

"Gardens." George Washington's Mount Vernon. Web. 03 Dec. 2013.

McCullough, David G. 1776. Print.

Wulf, Andrea. Founding Gardeners: The Revolutionary Generation, Nature, and the Shaping of the American Nation. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2011. Print.