And when the great fight was won, and the last of their proud generals,
Cornwallis, had grudgingly yielded up his sword--it is pleasant to
think of Washington writing about it to--whom do you think?--a
white-haired old man now ninety years of age, who had given the young
surveyor his first start in life. Lord Fairfax was an old Tory, an
unreconstructed English gentleman of the old school, who drank the
King's health religiously every day at dinner. It must have been with
mixed feelings, therefore, that he heard of Cornwallis's surrender.
But pride in his protege must have conquered. We can imagine him as
lifting his glass with trembling fingers to another toast:
"Here's to George Washington!"
And to that toast grateful America will ever respond.
IMPORTANT DATES IN WASHINGTON'S LIFE
1732. February 22. George Washington born.
1747. Left school.
1748. Became a surveyor.
1753. Sent by Governor Dinwiddie on a mission to the French.
1754. Appointed lieutenant-colonel and sent against the
French and Indians.
1755. Joined General Braddock's staff with rank of colonel.
1757. Resigned his army commission.
1759. Married Martha Dandridge Custis.
1775. Appointed commander-in-chief of American forces,
in Revolution.
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