Washington.

This is coolbert:

"The necessity of procuring good intelligence is apparent & need not be further urged - - All that remains for me to add is, that you keep the whole matter as Secret as possible. For upon Secrecy, Success depends in Most Enterprizes of the Kind, and for want of it, are generally defeated, however well planned and promising a favorable issue." - - I am Sir Yr. Most Obed. Sev. - - G. Washington.

Good program on National Geographic channel last night dealing with the "real" George Washington. An attempt to separate the myth from the "real"!

A large portion of the program concerns the American Revolutionary War record of Washington.

First and foremost, Washington was the ONLY man in the colonies that all the colonialist revolutionaries would rally to. The ONLY man whose integrity, honor, and trustworthiness were above reproach. And a man too, who had military COMMAND experience, something sorely lacking with the ranks of the colonial army.

As is generally agreed upon by the military historians, Washington WAS A NOT A SKILLED BATTLEFIELD TACTICIAN.

BUT DID POSSESS AN AWESOME COURAGE AND DETERMINATION, PHYSICAL DARING NOT NORMALLY SEEN IN SUCH A SENIOR COMMANDER, RECOGNIZED BY ALL, FRIEND AND FOE ALIKE. THIS IS UNDENIABLE!!

Washington was also AN EXCELLENT SPY MASTER!!

Understood the need for obtaining intelligence and did run a large spy network, the primary focus being the large British garrison encamped - - New York City.

Washington seems to have had a fascination with what are called the "Black Arts". He had more than a passing acquaintance with all aspects of espionage and DECEPTION as applicable in a time of war.

Washington was familiar with ciphers and secret ink, counter-espionage and HOW TO FEED THE ENEMY FALSE INFORMATION TO DECEIVE AS PART OF AN OVERALL BATTLE PLAN!! And was successful at doing so.

Comments:

* In his own communications, Washington used CODE as opposed to CIPHER. And did make a mistake, somewhat common during the period, of mixing plain text with coded text in the same message!

* The American colonialist rebels did have at their disposal an advanced form of secret ink? A two-part formula, one part for writing and concealing, the second formula for developing and making apparent the hidden message? This was the work of Dr. Benjamin Rush?

* When uncovering an enemy spy in your midst, it can often be the preferred method to not arrest, try, convict and hang the miscreant. Feeding the villain, the enemy spy, deceptive information that he will pass to his masters is often the route to follow!! Such a method requires an enormous amount of guile and cleverness. This Washington seems to have had both in abundance!

* It is generally conceded by historians that WITHOUT THE PRESENCE OF GEORGE WASHINGTON, THE AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY WAR WOULD NOT HAVE SUCCEEDED?

I think this is so! In all revolutionary movements, ONE MAN, a leader, can make a big difference.

coolbert.