The Haunting of Young George Washington; Celebrating America at 250 by David L. Preston, photographs by Sally Maxson, Smithsonian, January/February 2026 pp 30-39, 110-111.
George Washington had a very close call when he was serving as a colonel during the French and Indian War. November 12, 1758 Washington was leading his men in support of a group of men that the general had already sent to route a group of French with Native American support. Because the sound of battle was so loud, General John Forbes sent Washington and his men forward in support. However when the two units approached each other, the men became confused, thinking they were approaching the enemy. A fire fight ensued. When Washington noticed what was happening he came forward trying to intervene. He ordered his men to stop shooting and was batting his men's guns upward with his sword. Before the melee ended 16 soldiers had been killed and over 20 more were wounded.
This was at Fort Ligonier aka Fort Loyalhana. The result of the battle was a route of the French and Indians with prisoners taken. The fort has been restored and studies ongoing to determine where exactly the friendly fire skirmish took pace. Washington himself was in the line of fire, and this event had a profound effect on him.
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