George Washington's close call?

 begin quote from Google AI:

The Smithsonian highlights several "close calls" for George Washington, primarily focusing on two key periods: the French and Indian War, where he survived multiple near-death experiences, including being thrown from a raft and nearly caught in a deadly friendly-fire incident where he famously stepped between muskets; and the Revolutionary War, where he faced constant danger, enduring ambushes, and narrowly escaping serious injury, with one incident at the Battle of Brandywine involving Casimir Pulaski saving him from being surrounded by British forces. These events shaped his leadership, showing his courage and resilience in the face of imminent peril, even leading him to reflect that some of these early brushes with death were more dangerous than later Revolutionary War battles. 

French and Indian War (1750s):

• Friendly Fire Incident (1758): Near Fort Ligonier, Pennsylvania, two Virginia regiments mistook each other for the enemy in foggy conditions and began firing; Washington rode between them, knocking up muskets with his sword to stop the deadly exchange, an event he later called his most jeopardized moment.
• Raft Incident (1753): On a diplomatic mission, a young Washington was thrown into the icy Allegheny River after his raft pole broke, but he survived by swimming to an island, a harrowing experience that nearly ended his life.
• Battle of the Monongahela (1755): As aide to General Braddock, Washington had multiple bullet holes in his coat, horses shot from under him, and tried to rally troops after Braddock was mortally wounded, demonstrating poise under intense fire. 

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American Revolution (1770s-1780s):

• Battle of Brandywine (1777): Colonel Casimir Pulaski, a Polish cavalry officer, is believed to have saved Washington's life by halting a British flanking maneuver that threatened to cut off the American retreat, according to Smithsonian Channel's Facebook post and the Smithsonian Magazine.
• Newburgh Conspiracy (1783): Though not a physical danger from enemy fire, Washington faced a serious threat to the new nation's stability from disgruntled officers, but his powerful address averted a potential military coup, saving the nascent republic. 

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These incidents highlight Washington's extraordinary survival and composure, cementing his legendary status even before becoming President, notes The Citadel Today. 

• Citadel professor published in the Smithsonian Magazine

  Jan 7, 2026 — The skirmish would come to be known as the “friendly fire incident,” and Washington was largely responsible for restori...

  

  The Citadel Today

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