Journal of Colonel George Washington, Commanding a Detachment of Virginia Troops, Sent by Robert Dinwiddie, Lieutenant-governor of Virginia, Across the Alleghany Mountains, in 1754

by George Washington

Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography, American History, Military Fiction, Us Presidents

280 pages, Paperback

First published January 20, 1754

About the author

George Washington was an American military leader, statesman, and Founding Father who served as the first President of the United States. He is often referred to as the "Father of His Country" for the central role he played in the founding and early development of the nation.
Born into a family of Virginia planters, Washington grew up on the family's estates and received limited formal education. As a young man, he became a land surveyor, which provided him valuable knowledge of the American frontier. He began his military career in the Virginia militia during the French and Indian War, gaining experience that would later serve him during the American Revolution.
In 1775, with tensions between the American colonies and Great Britain reaching a breaking point, Washington was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army by the Second Continental Congress. Leading a force that was often underfunded, poorly equipped, and inexperienced, Washington faced a series of challenges. Despite suffering early defeats, he demonstrated resilience and strategic skill, securing important victories at Trenton and Princeton. His leadership at the Siege of Yorktown led to the surrender of British forces and ultimately secured American independence.
Following the Revolutionary War, Washington voluntarily resigned his commission and returned to private life at Mount Vernon, a move that reinforced the principle of civilian control of the military. However, the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation soon became evident, and Washington returned to public service as the presiding officer at the Constitutional Convention of 1787. His steady leadership helped facilitate the drafting and ratification of the United States Constitution.
Unanimously elected as the first President, Washington took office in 1789 and served two terms. During his presidency, he set many important precedents that would shape the role of the executive branch, including the creation of a Cabinet and the peaceful transfer of power. His leadership style emphasized unity and national identity at a time when political divisions threatened the stability of the new republic.
Washington's foreign policy was characterized by neutrality, particularly during the conflicts arising from the French Revolution. He promoted peaceful relations with foreign powers, most notably through the Jay Treaty with Great Britain. Domestically, he dealt with challenges such as the Whiskey Rebellion, asserting the authority of the federal government to maintain order.
Although a wealthy plantation owner who held enslaved people throughout his life, Washington's views on slavery evolved over time. In his will, he made arrangements to free the individuals he directly owned, setting a precedent among the Founding Fathers and reflecting his personal conflict over the institution.
After completing two terms, Washington declined to seek a third, emphasizing the importance of term limits and setting a lasting example. In his Farewell Address, he warned against the dangers of political factions and entanglements in foreign affairs, advice that influenced American political thought for generations.
George Washington's legacy endures in American culture, politics, and national identity. His name and image have been commemorated in countless ways, from the capital city of Washington, D.C., to monuments, currency, and public institutions. Admired for his leadership, character, and devotion to republican ideals, Washington remains one of the most respected figures in United States history.

Reviews

[Ron · Rating 3 out of 5]

A valuable primary source of the history of Virginia and the French and Indian Wars and, perhaps more significant, an early window into the man who would become the Father of his Country. Washington's journal details, with a surveyor's eye to distances, his trip into that part of North America then claimed by both England and France, though inhabited by neither in near the numbers of the native Iroquois.

A helpful map and copies of the Governor's letter and French commander's reply are included.

[Lissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's hard to assign a rating to this short diary of George Washington's first foray into the Ohio country (now modern Pennsylvania). It provides Washington's thoughts and experiences during his trip, but I really feel like a broader historical context is needed to further understand it. I highly recommend reading Young Washington: How Wilderness and War Forged America’s Founding Father to add to this journal.

Definitely interesting, especially if you enjoy reading about the French and Indian War (as I do), since this journal was printed just a few months before Washington returned to the Ohio country (and sparked the beginning of the war with the Jumonville affair).

[Benjamin Mooney · Rating 5 out of 5]

An account of a prewar mission by them Major George Washington made from the journal of tbe future president.

[Bat713 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the journal of Washington written in his own hand concerning his trip was to deliver a letter to the French concerning infringement on what was considered English Territory . This was the trip that preceded the French and Indian war. So interesting to read about firsthand encounters with the Native Americans of that area. This little journal is a fun job of translating Early American print type.

[J Layne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring!

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this along with George Washington's Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior that he copied by hand by age 16. I believe many of the rules became principles he lived by. There are a couple examples of this that I found while reading this journal:

#82 “Undertake not what you cannot perform but be careful to keep your promise”. George Washington did not take his duty lightly & you could see his unfailing determination as he wrote about his journey. It definitely wasn’t an easy journey! The weather was almost impossible; they had to make their own raft in the freezing weather, at one point they could only proceed on foot, they almost froze, not to mention being shot at, but nothing seemed to stop him. He made a promise & he was going to see it through. He even went beyond his orders & took the time to write down his observations of forts, etc.

#79 “Be not apt to relate news if you know not the truth thereof.” In the advertisement published with the journal, he was careful to explain that he only wrote about things he directly observed & anything else he was “particularly cautious not to augment, but collected the opinions of the several intelligencers & selected from the whole the most probable & consistent account”. I was very impressed with his careful attention to giving a completely honest & accurate account of what happened!

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very short book, but I loved it! I'm a huge, huge, huge George Washington fan. The title implies that it's an entire years' journal, but it's really only May and a little June. It turns out there was a big miscommunication involving some French troops, and then a battle, and then George Washington's journal was taken by the French. This is that journal.

The opening of the journal might be the best part, as it recounts the whole confusion and the battle. I had no idea! And I really do read a lot about George Washington. The journal itself was pretty cool, too. To read about something from George's own pen! That was neat.

The whole thing was less than 50 pages long and took me about an hour to read. No excuses not to check it out- you know you want to!

[Nicholas Maulucci · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting insight into the life of the father of our country - George Washington. unfortunately it was short. it would have been interesting to have a more in depth account, but we have what we have from Washington.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

It seems silly to rate a historical document with stars, but this was truly one of the most interesting things I’ve read in awhile. And it is a good demonstration of true leadership and diplomacy... something we have completely abandoned in this current administration.

[Jim Morton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very insightful.

[Frank Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

For anyone sincerely interested in understanding the personality of the man who became the icon, this will be enlightening. Written after his arduous winter journey to the Ohio Territory to deliver an ultimatum to the French commander when he was all of 21 years old, we glimpse a strong and stoic personality who presents this rather heroic deed in matter-of-fact tones, which bear the seeds of the public modesty he displayed in his astonishing rise to greatness thereafter.

[Laurie Wheeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Because of Washington's experience in Virginia's western wilds while surveying land, the 21 year old was commissioned by Royal Governor Dinwiddie in the winter of 1733 to deliver a letter to the French, asking them to leave British territory.
The French refused to budge.
After reporting back to Dinwiddie, the governor asked him to write everything down.
Washington's 7000 word report catapulted him to fame, as this pamphlet was widely read throughout the colonies and Britain.

[Kim Dennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a little disappointed in this. Based on the title, I was expecting this to be about the year 1754, and I thought I would read about what happened at Fort Necessity which began the French and Indian War. Instead, it was published at the beginning of 1754. This was the first expedition Washington led first to "ask" the French to leave. It was interesting -- just not quite what I hoped for.

[William Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

George Washington's journal was an interesting read. The book caught my eye while in a gift shop in Williamsburg. It is a fascinating historical read taking into account that Washington was 21, and you get to see his maturity and leadership skills as he negotiates on behalf of the British in relations with the French as well as the Indians.

[Jeff Bobin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A transcription of George Washington's journal from his trip to modern day Waterford to Fort LeBouef to challenge the French to get out of territory claimed by Great Briton.

Can be a slow read because of old language and spellings. Well worth working through.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cool to see his first hand account!

[Wendy Pruitt]

read a book about George not sure if this is the right one

[d t · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting to see how different the continent is in the writings to the one we know today and the one it became merely decades after the recorded happenings. France and England eventually went to war and neither of them ended up with the trifle. It was sad to see how the native peoples have been dispossessed (in this writing the French are described as especially egregious but we know the British were also aggressors) and reduced to a force to be bought by cheap gifts, but, learning about George Washington’s character and seeing an example of his mettle is intriguing.

[Javier · Rating 2 out of 5]

No disrespect to General Washington, but as far as journal's go; this report by a young Washington is pretty flat, surely straightforward but lacking in nuance; he was a surveyor after all, and descriptions of the terrain, flora or game, even if excised for the sake of expediency, should have made the cut, even if just to point out natural advantages.

Again, this is a report that more than fulfilled its purpose at the time, Governor Dinwiddie even having it disseminated, but it does more as an intelligence briefing to help Virginia craft policy, than as a journal, which by rule should include the eyewitness accounts and opinions of the writer. But Washington was not florid, we know that. The author of the "Rules of Civility" is a model of shrewdness, temperance and not little grace; he may not have Franklin's wit, or Jefferson's genial erudition, but he is undoubtedly the ultimate founding father, and the archetype for the common character of the Nation.

So while his journal may tally two meager stars in my estimation, the man itself rates amongst the greatest that ever lived.

[Sha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my understanding of the book:

It contains a very in-depth account of George Washington's travels around Virginia and near the Ohio/Alliganey River to speak with the French about the French claiming that territory and taking prisoners of those who traded there.

The most interesting part for me was hearing about his interactions and alliances with some of the Indian tribes and how the French had been treating some of the Indians badly at the time by calling them names and not fulfilling promises they had given them. At one point the Half-King (an Indian) and George Washington had gone to visit one of the French Forts. It was fascinating for me to see the French try to stall the Half-King from leaving by promising the Half-King goods such as guns etc, if they would stay an extra day. George Washington became very concerned that they were trying to win back the loyalty of the Half-King by doing this and begged that they keep their promise and let them leave after they had already done this once.

An account of having to travel through the snow and across frozen ice was short but very interesting to me as well.

It's important to remember that this Journal does not contain any personal account of George Washington's life but more his travels and his discovery of the terrain around some of the French Forts, how many miles it took to travel certain distances in good and bad weather, etc. This is more a military journal that he used to report back to the King of English with. It is a very short journal, only about 32 pages long, but it was difficult to read at times because of the way he wrote the letter s. In the journal it looked very much like the letter f, so it was hard to determine what he was saying without some thought.

[Rachel Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not particularly interested in the early life of the U.S.A. or the accomplishments of George Washington, often heralded as the greatest figure in American history or the father of our country, or whatever. For whatever reason, I find American history boring — at least compared to world history, I suppose.

But Washington's journal, written during an expedition to the French camp in the Ohio territory in 1753, is surprisingly interesting, and highly amusing. His observations of the land, natives and the French themselves are interesting to consider in the context of the time and political situations (i.e. colonies, war, etc.), and it's well written for being a travel journal, essentially. (Amusingly, Washington even includes a footnote in the beginning begging forgiveness for the poor quality of his writing. Okay, George.)

I was reading it a bit too far out of context to really understand everything Washington mentioned, as far as the point of the mission and its influences on politics — the French and Indian War being the most immediate effect — but it was still interesting to read a direct written document by the first American president.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting look into George Washinton's trip into the Ohio River area while a major, and from his perspective as well. Very short, quick read. A different part of George Washington's life often overlooked and by-passed by the textbooks.

[S.L. Berry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A change in reading for me, the journal was quaint in language (s's are f's among other things), but it was nice to read an original historical account about a time period that I was familiar with before.

[Kevin Keating · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting read. It is really enjoyable to read Washington's style. The writing is really good. It helps to have some historical background, for instance knowing that this would be the precursor to the French and Indian War and knowing how much responsibility he had at age 21.

[Tracey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book to be a fun read. After reading it, I thought that an American history teacher would really benefit adding this to his/her collection of teaching materials. Being able to read the day-to-day account of a historical time period would bring history to life.