"When he was young, (Washingon) started his military career alongside Native American politicians and warriors much more sophisticated than he was..."

Washington recieved his surveyor's license from William and Mary College at 17 years old, and was familiar with the poorly charted back country, so he was selected at a mere 21 years old to take a small party north from Virginia to treat with the French and the Iroquois and to spy on French developements at the Fork of the Ohio River. He was guided to the French by the great Seneca leader Guyasuta. He was so successful in this mission, that his report reached London.

Still only 21, Washington was then promoted to colonel and led an armed misson of colonial militia north where they foolishly ambushed and wiped out a group of French emissaries carrying documents that ordered the British to leave the area, starting the French and Indian War/Seven Years War. Outnumbered 2 to 1, by a force of French, Huron, and Odowa troops, Washington was eventually trapped and defeated at Ft. Neccessity, and was then forced to surrender and retreat to Virginia. The surrender document was written in such a way as to humiliate the young commander, but he no choice but to sign lest his command be put to the sword and tomahawk.

So the young man was in over his head, but he was learning. How many 21 year olds today have had that much reponsibility, or encountered that much danger?