General Henry Knox- How to Be Successful at Everything

Most everyone can say they have certain talents where they shine and others not so much. It is not so common to find someone who excels at everything. Little is known of Washington's top General Henry Knox among current generations. It is time that stops. Henry Knox was responsible for beefing up the artillery. He approached George Washington with a plan and came back with wagons of artillery successfully. He picked out 6 cutting edge ships when the country could not afford a Navy and convinced Congress to buy them. These were cheaper and better. It was Knox's visionary smarts that recognized cheaper but faster was what was necessary. Always a problem solver, he worked on a commission with Governeur Morris on prisoner exchange. He kept this friendship cultivated and when the Revolution was over, he came up with the three headed government of checks and balances we use today- the legislative, executive, and judiciary. He jotted this plan of government down, sent it to Governeur Morris who was serving in the Constitutional  Convention, and Morris made it happen. It is a fact that Morris wrote more of the Constitution than any other delegate. Knox was wise in character and leadership. When some of his colleagues were supporting General Gates to take over Washington's position, he was loyal and instrumental in Washington's continued command. He knew when to take action. When the heirarchy of the military was threatened due to the commissioning of too many foreign officers through Congress' political patronage, Knox drew a line in the sand and threatened to resign before his position was given away. He was successful. The members of Congress trusted and respected him. His political finesse and ability to get along with others was instrumental not only in the military, but for national strategy.  A Henry Knox comes around once in a blue moon, when you see it- you must respect and utitilize it to its full potential. These leaders do it for the good of the people, not their egos. Study their character. Knox worked full time at a bookstore starting at age 12 to support his mother and brother. He read voraciously. He was an entrepreneur, he later opened his own bookstore.  He was a risk taker. Once he figured out that weapons were to be had at Fort Ticonderoga, he developed a plan and successfully convinced Washington to give him the reigns to make it happen.  So many are the jack of many trades, and masters of none. Not Henry Knox, virtually everything he touched turned into success for our young country. We owe him a huge debt of gratitude. Maybe one day, Congress will see fit to erect a memorial for him in our Capitol.  Henry Knox is a great lesson in that to be a master of all trades one must be: smart, kind, hard working, a voracious reader, a do-er, diplomatic and loyal. To be successful, one must be focused on the good of others, like Knox, not on one's self

Choosing a Leader: Learning from George Washington's Choice of General Nathanel Greene

It took the Continental Congress three times, but they finally got it right. After appointing Benjamin Lincoln and Horatio Gates to lead George Washington's southern campaign to no success, they finally allowed George Washington to choose his own general. Washington made an excellent choice in appointing Nathanael Greene after serving alongside him in battle and knowing his passion, strength, intelligence and endurance.  Lesson one- it is wise to give the experts in the best position to make the choice the power to do so. Greene was victorious in the Southern campaign driving the British from the Carolinas.  So wise that he kept on fighting until legally not allowed to do. He was right. The British came back for round two in the Battle of 1812.  Lesson two- a leader must have good judgment in people. Greene never trusted General Charles Lee or General James Wilkinson. Although he never lived to see the proof of his distrust, hundreds of years later have revealed that Charles Lee gave plans to the British on how they could capture the American army while he was a "prisoner" of war in South Carolina and recent documents have unearthed that James Wilkinson was a double spy in the pay of  the Spanish government.   Greene noted that when Lee was traded for another prisoner and released, he came back not rejoicing as one would  expect. Lee even spent his first night back at Washington's camp sleeping in the quarters behind Martha Washington's camp living arrangements with the wife of a British officer. Lesson three- a leader must be brave and wiling to personally sacrifice. Whereas Horatio Gates' soldiers' nicknamed him "Granny Gates"for his lack of zeal in battle, Green had a reputation for being brave despite the odds. Greene even successfully employed the "divide to survive"  strategy  (controversial compared to accepted practices of warfare at the time) before Napoleon coined it.  When the virtually penniless Continental Congress could not pay to clothe Greene's men and neither could the provincial South Carolina government, Greene signed on as creditor to pay for uniforms for the entire Southern army (he was not a wealthy man). Not only did he care for his men, he knew they could not fight in their naked condition and many would desert. After winning the war, the American government never paid Greene back and he was besought with creditors when he died a few years later much distressed at the age of 44.  He was also a peacemaker. When General Sullivan upset the French Admiral Charles D' Estaing, it was Greene that placated and kept the peace. Had this not been done, Washington would not have had the French navy which was necessary to assist in trapping the British at the victorious battle of Yorktown. Nathanael Greene sacrificed everything for our country. True heroes do. George Washington made an excellent choice which proved essential to the formation of this country, when he chose Nathanael Greene to be his right hand man. Great leaders choose great leaders.

Learning Family Values from Aaron Burr

Just finished reading Aaron Burr: The Conspiracy and Years of Exile 1805-1836 by Milton Lomask published in 1982. Mr. Lomask uncovered rare, never before seen papers in putting together this excellent Founding Father's bio. It is an honest tribute. There were four major take aways I gleaned from this book. The first is that it pays to "idealize". Aaron Burr's parents died when he was young. He must have spent hours idealizing what his mother was like because when his daughter was born, he made her one of the most educated (at a time when women could not go to college), cultured and sophisticated women of her time. Throughout his entire life, including his Vice Presidency and years of exile in Europe, he kept guiding and overseeing  her continued education in the classics and languages. It is important to idealize to create goals.

The second great lesson about Aaron Burr is to prize family. At the zenith of his successes, he always placed his daughter's happiness above his own. When she and his only grandchild died, he mourned deeply and never fully recovered,  but tended to the pains by spending years and resources helping take care of and guide the education of needy children that came across his way. Their appreciation and progress proved to be the happiest joys of his life. Too often, particularly true of  the baby boomer culture, retirement, and selfish exploits are sought after as the pinnacle prizes of success and happiness. Aaron Burr knew better. Our existence is validated in what we can give to others. No amount of cruises, fast cars, rv(s), or boats can replace the value of leaving the world a better place. To cherish valuable contributions that directly affect the generations is to live a full life.

Never rub a sore. Although Burr's treason trial was politically motivated and he was  a victim of the excesses of party vitriol akin to the French  Revolution, he carried himself adroitly and with class throughout his perilous ordeal. Although victorious, one of his prosecutors was in France as a diplomat at the same time Burr was seeking a passport home to the United States. He made it very difficult for Burr, through no fault of his own. The utmost courtesy and respect must be paid at all times to even those whom we vehemently disagree. If they choose to carry on a grudge, their actions are a reflection of the flaws in their character, not of our own.

Lastly, Burr lived in a time where major ventures and expeditions were privately funded because there were very few banks in existence. Due to this, he raised a lot of money for his plan to colonize the Bastrop properties and the American West. When all of this went asunder following the notoriety of his trial, he spent a lifetime plagued with his investors seeking repayment.  It is best not to mix financial dealings with friends and family. Business deals do sometimes go asunder, why jeopardize what we cherish the most ?

Burr lived in a different time. The country was a much bigger canvas of wide open opportunity but the lessons are the same. Raise your family to be the ideal. Be the ideal. Always act with dignity and class. Never lessen yourself because of others' shortcomings. Use careful wisdom in separating business from the pleasure of friends and family. Burr remarkably survived all his obstacles to remain for us an example of what life is really about- the love of family and giving back as best you can.

Nathan Hale: Our Country's Young Hero

Heroes are born, not made. They are great men and women of character who rise to the occasion.  While being educated at Yale, in one school debate Nathan took the controversial side that females should be educated. After he graduated and taught school (only men allowed nationwide at traditional schools) he taught females early in the am before his school would begin. When he joined the service and became a captain and the enlistments were expiring in his troup, he offered his own wages to his men if they would extend their service for just one month while Washington desperately tried to recruit. Speaking of wages, on 10/30/1775, he and a fellow officer Captain Hull made a formal request to General Washington to be paid captain's salaries but it was denied. Pay issues never interfered with loyalty to his country at time when the Continental Congress was practically broke. Nathan Hale did not have the character or capacity for bitterness. When Washington asked for volunteers to spy on the British  in New York, no one volunteered so Nathan was asked. He rose to the call despite the dangerous nature of the mission and discouragement from his close friends.  Heroism knows no age. Although only 21 when caught with maps and drawings on his person while attempting to cross back to the American lines (his mission almost complete), he did not flinch. He was caught red handed and there was no escape. For Nathan, that meant owning up and exhibiting no fear.  He admitted who he was and faced the punishment stoically. He made no special execution requests. This is in contrast to the most famous and beloved British spy, John Andre, who requested to be shot by a firing squad (request was denied) rather than hanged.  Young Nathan Hale was brave, diligent and of powerful moral character. He lived by the motto: "A man out never to lose a moment's time. If he put off a thing from one minute to the next, his reluctance is increased." As an officer, he wrote "It is of the utmost importance an officer should be anxious to know his duty, but of greater that he should carefully perform what he does know: the present irregular state of the army is owing to a capital neglect in both of these." He was prescient  and George Washington later had Baron von Steuben teach discipline to the army. Nathan Hale was smart, generous, a visionary and brave. He died nobly for freedom to reign in this country. May we honor his sacrifice by doing the most we can to protect those freedoms we enjoy due to his and others' sacrifices.

Charles Lee: A Lesson in Leadership-Do Not be Naive With Trust

In my studies on Founding Fathers, I have come to a startling revelation: American Revolutionary General (2nd in Command to General George Washington) was a spy. How did I come to this extraordinary conclusion ? While reading about the provincial government set up in South Carolina as described in Christopher Gadsden and the American Revolution by E. Stanley Godbold, Jr. and Robert H. Woody (a well researched book that took over 40 years to make) and in conjunction with my studies of Founding Fathers and the American Revolution over the last 8 years, I was able to piece together the bizarre and unexplainable actions of General Charles Lee.  George Washington sent Charles Lee to defend the Americans at Charleston as the British headed south. Rather than properly prepare, Lee built an unsatisfactory bridge from Fort Sullivan connecting to the mainland South Carolina that South Carolina officer William Moultrie determined would be more beneficial to the British than the Americans (it was later refortified and built properly by patriot Christopher Gadsden). When the British arrived, Lee determined that a retreat would be in order (allowing the British to take over the American South). Lee's order was overriden by South Carolina's provincial government's President Rutledge. Thanks to the fierceness of William Moultrie, the Americans were able to fend off the British despite the false credit going to Charles Lee.  Lee's actions clearly showed he did not have the American's best interest at heart.  While still in the South, he was "captured" by British officer Banastre Tarleton, known to be the fiercest British officer who spared no mercy. Yet, Lee was kept in ideal conditions (luxurious compared to other prisoners of war), fed like a king, and later released. The proof of his complicity lies herein.  It was during this "prisoner of war" period it was later revealed in 1857 among the private papers of British General William Howe, the military plans Charles Lee had drafted to turn over the American military in defeat to the British. 

There were other telltale signs of a duplicitous heart. In the famous Battle of Monmouth, George Washington sent Lee to capture the British as they planned on leaving Philadelphia to embark for New York. Rather than follow a golden opportunity to capture the British, he led the Americans on a retreat. The Marquis de Lafayette, one of George Washington's most trusted and brilliant military commanders, reported the treacherous behavior directly to Washington. Washington, overwhelmed with anger,  rode to the front lines of Monmouth stopping the retreat. Due to this, General Lee was court martialed. Prior to this, Washington had renamed Fort Constitution  "Fort Lee". Lee managed to give up this fort to the British as well.  At Valley Forge, Washington required all his officers to give an oath of loyalty. Lee refused to do so, hiding his duplicity under a ruse that he held the Prince of Wales in esteem, although not King George.  Even to death, the signs of Lee's disloyalty were evident. He made a request not to be buried in an an American churchyard because "I have kept up such bad company when living, that I do not choose to continue it when dead." Despite this, he is still buried today at the cemetery of Christ Church in Philadelphia. 

Yet schoolchildren to this day study General Charles Lee as a patriotic figure who served alongside General George Washington, while suspecting the laudable patriot Aaron Burr of disloyalty (which recent scholarship on the treason trial once again brings to light the preposterous nature of such a charge for such a proven military hero and statesman). What would George Washington had done if had he been alive to see the traitorous Lee papers discovered  among British General William Howe's effects 95 years later ? Undoubtedly he would have wanted to see a trial and hanging as he wished for Benedict Arnold. Washington was even responsible for a failed attempt at capturing Benedict Arnold to prove a lethal point to possible defectors during the Revolution. So how did this happen ? It was only natural that Washington wanted on his staff - experienced, battle proven military leaders. Charles Lee's resume and experience fit that bill. A resume; however, does not reveal one's heart. Washington served his country insisting on no pay, Lee refused to serve without compensation and managed to get the nearly bankrupt Continental Congress to agree to pay him  $30,000.00. The lesson  of General Charles Lee lies herein,  it is unwise to trust someone based merely on their resume, experience or curriculum vitae. Washington proved that  blindly and naively trusting  a military pedigree does not ensure one's loyalty and good intentions. A person's  heart, values and morals are just as important to their predicted behavior (in this case leadership) as one's qualifications.  One thing is for certain, Washington did not suspect Lee's deception. He even attended Lee's funeral in Philadelphia in 1782. Washington's men of big heart did not suspect Lee of the same good intentions however. Military officer John Laurens,

aid de camp to Washington, injured Lee in a duel, with Alexander Hamilton preventing Laurens from killing him. General "Mad" Anthony Wayne, one of Washington's most courageous officers, also challenged Lee to a duel. 

As the nation ages, and more historical research and documentation comes to light, I do hope that we, as a nation, can put the proper perspective on Charles Lee. Those who command respect must do so deservedly and with truth.  Charles Lee's story is not one our history books properly report (particularly in light of the 1857 discovered spy papers).  Actions do speak louder than words,  and deception speaks the most about one's actions. The wisdom in all of this is, never naively trust. Even the greatest leaders are guilty of this. Lucky for America, we won the revolution in spite of Charles Lee. 

Benedict Arnold- from the Perspective of the Battle of Quebec

Just finished reading Benedict Arnold in the Company of Heroes by Arthur S. Lefkowitz. It was an excellent scholarly work on the lives of the men who went on the ill fated attempt to capture Quebec at the beginning of the American Revolution to prevent the Canadians from joining with the British in fighting the Americans. The turmoil and travails Benedict's men faced on this march to overtake Quebec reads like the challenges Lewis and Clark faced in Undaunted Courage, yet on a grander scale as more men were involved. It is no wonder that these men had to be chosen as the top men of their regiments to participate. It also becomes no wonder that these top men after being released as prisoners of war in Quebec, rose to the cream of the crop upon their return in joining the Continental Army. They were tough, reliable and passionate, all the traits their soldiers needed  to see in their officers' leadership. No doubt,  Benedict Arnold was a courageous and fearless soldier and leader. His main problem was that he possessed a depravity of morals. He was accused of being a thief his whole life. When he was military governor of Pennsylvania he was accused of stealing from the people and merchants to set up his own merchant business aggrandizing himself in the process, making him wealthy. He was accused of the same when as a British officer (after he became a traitor) he was sent to Virginia. These accusations of theft started early in his career and trailed him to his dying days. After the war, he left London and established a business in Canada. His business partner accused him of theft and he was run out of town and fled back to London. For two years and before his wife Peggy Shippen and children joined him from London, he took on a mistress and begat a child while living in Canada. A study of his life would show that central to his character was his inability to avoid theft and profiting at the expense of others. His narcissistic ego and personality caused many rifts with fellow military leaders and politicians that had to deal with him.  In conclusion, Benedict Arnold is a good life lesson in learning that you should not give power to the morally deprived. Had George Washington, who recognized Arnold's military prowess, listened to his fellow Continental Congressmens' well founded suspicions and concerns, Arnold would have never reached the powerful position he did in the American Army jeopardizing the cause. Bottom line, a person's character is far more important an indicator of leadership than just their accomplishments.