Comments on: George Washington by James MacGregor Burns and Susan Dunn

By: Mary

Mary — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 07:42:10 +0000

The first time I visited Mount Vernon, I was about 16. As I sat on a wicker chair, on a porch that wrapped around the entire house, I fantasized that it would somehow be revealed that I was the long-lost heir to Mount Vernon, and the house would pass into my possession.

Maybe, for that reason, they don’t let you sit on the wicker chairs anymore.

By: Bob Timmermann

Bob Timmermann — Sat, 30 May 2009 06:06:57 +0000

Washington wore the uniform he received as a colonel in the Virginia colonial militia.

By: berkowit28

berkowit28 — Sat, 30 May 2009 05:34:16 +0000

If Washington could not get a British commission, what exactly was his uniform that so impressed the First Continental Congress. What uniform would a non-commissioned surveyor wear? Surely something akin to Sergeant (maybe Sergeant Major?) was not going to impress anyone. If he really hobnobbed with British generals he must have been expecting a commission as Colonel at least – probably very unusual to come in at such a high level.

I really don’t know what I’m talking about, but I’m intrigued. What sort of rank equivalent did he have as a non-commissioned surveyor?

By: Jon Weisman

Jon Weisman — Fri, 29 May 2009 23:24:26 +0000

So George Washington didn’t invent the high five after all.

Despite the picture atop this page, I still found myself picturing David Morse with the big nose while I read your great post.