First president gave thanks to a higher power

Letter to the editor

Posted

George Washington (1732-1799) served as the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War and First President of the United States, and is historically regarded as the “Father of His Country.” 

On Oct 19, 1781, Lord Cornwallis and the British Army surrendered the Battle of Yorktown, “effectively ending” the Revolutionary War. Gen. George Washington recounted the miraculous course of events leading up to that surrender in the following message to Thomas McKean, president of the Continental Congress (Nov. 15, 1781):  “I take particular pleasure in acknowledging that the interposing Hand of Heaven, in the various instances of our extensive Preparation for this Operation [Yorktown], has been most conspicuous and remarkable.”