George Washington's Prophecy

A Visit From An Angel Revealed The Destiny Of Our Nation

George Washington’s Birthday Feb. 22

While most people identify George Washington as the first president of the United States or as a great general during the American Revolution, few know his background as an officer for the British during the French and Indian War—or the great prophecy that followed.

On July 9, 1755, at the Monongahela River (near the city of Pittsburg now), Washington and his men were outnumbered and outmaneuvered by the French and Indian warriors. Within two hours, 1,000 British soldiers were killed or wounded, while only 30 French and Indian warriors were injured.

One must remember that at the time, the British soldiers only knew how to fight in the open, standing shoulder to shoulder in perfect battle lines—AND they wore bright, red uniforms. The Indian warriors, on the other hand fought from the cover of trees and rocks.

The Battle

Twenty-three-year-old Washington rode at the rear of General Edward Braddock’s army (American soldiers were considered inferior), but had warned him of fighting the Indians using this suicidal method of warfare.

As the troops passed through a ravine, they were shot upon. Washington rode back and forth delivering Braddock’s orders, until he became the only officer still on horseback. The young officer then took command after Braddock was wounded, but the two-hour ambush left 976 casualties before Washington could save what was left. A British officer recorded: “I expected every moment to see him fall. Nothing but the superintending care of Providence could have saved him.”

Later that night, as the last of the wounded were being cared for, Washington assessed his own situation. Upon taking off his coat, he found four bullet holes had passed through his jacket but left no marks on his skin. They literally seemed to have stopped before touching his body.

Nine days later, in a letter to his brother to confirm that he was still alive, he wrote:

 “As I have heard since my arrival at this place, a circumstantial account of my death and dying speech, I take this early opportunity of contradicting the first and of assuring you that I have not as yet composed the latter. But by the all-powerful dispensations of Providence I have been protected beyond all human probability or expectation; for I had four bullets through my coat and two horses shot under me yet escaped unhurt, although death was leveling my companions on every side of me!

This twenty-three year old officer went on to become the commander in chief of the Continental Army and the first President of the United States. In all the years that followed, George Washington, was never injured in battle.

The Indian Chief’s Story

In 1770, Washington had an opportunity to sit face-to-face with the respected Indian chief whom he fought against in battle. This is what the chief said:

“I am a chief and ruler over my tribes. My influence extends to the waters of the great lakes and to the far blue mountains. I have traveled a long and weary path that I might see the young warrior of the great battle. It was on the day when the white man’s blood mixed with the streams of our forests that I first beheld this chief (Washington). I called to my young men and said, ‘Mark yon tall and daring warrior? He is not of the red-coat tribe—he hath an Indian’s wisdom and his warriors fight as we do—himself alone exposed. Quick, let your aim be certain, and he dies.’

Our rifles were leveled, rifles which, but for you, knew not how to miss —‘twas all in vain, a power mightier far than we, shielded you. Seeing you were under the special guardianship of the Great Spirit, we immediately ceased to fire at you. I am old and shall soon be gathered to the great council fire of my fathers in the lands of the shades, but ere I go, there is something bids me speak in the voice of prophecy: Listen! The Great Spirit protects that man (pointing at Washington), and guides his destinies—he will become the chief of nations, and a people yet unborn will hail him as the founder of a mighty empire. I am come to pay homage to the man who is the particular favorite of Heaven, and who can never die in battle.”

This story, showing God’s hand in the founding of our country, was part of every child’s education until it was removed from school textbooks in the 1930s.

A Man of God

Washington continued to be a man of prayer, a fact that is well documented. But there is one incident that has all but disappeared from history books or any accounts of our first president.

The first-hand account of this vision was given in 1859 by an old soldier named Anthony Sherman, who presented it to a writer, Wesley Bradshaw. In the vision that Sherman describes, God revealed to George Washington that three great perils would come upon the Republic.

The account below was taken from the reprint in the U.S. war veterans’ paper The National Tribune, in December 1880, which was reprinted in 1950 in what is now called The Stars and Stripes.

Message Disclosed

Anthony Sherman was 99 years old at the time of the telling of this tale—so there are many who discount it.

The old soldier first told the writer about the winter of 1777 at Valley Forge. “Ah! I have often seen the tears coursing down our dear commander’s careworn cheeks, as he would be conversing with an officer about the condition of his poor soldiers.”

He went on to say that he remembered the day that Washington remained in his quarters nearly all the afternoon, alone. “When he came out I noticed that his face was a shade paler than usual, and there seemed to be something on his mind of more than ordinary importance.”

After taking care of some business Sherman reported that Washington returned and told this story:

An Uninvited Guest

“I do not know whether it is owing to the anxiety of my mind, or what, but this afternoon, as I was sitting at this table engaging in preparing a dispatch, something in the apartment seemed to disturb me. Looking up, I beheld standing opposite to me a singularly beautiful being. So astonished was I, for I had given strict orders not to be disturbed that it was some moments before I found language to inquire the cause of the visit. A second, a third, and even a fourth time did I repeat my question, but received no answer from my mysterious visitor except a slight raising of the eyes.

By this time I felt strange sensations spreading through me. I would have risen but the riveted gaze of the being before me rendered volition impossible. I tried once more to speak, but my tongue became useless, as if paralyzed. A new influence, mysterious, potent, irresistible, took possession of me. All I could do was to gaze steadily, vacantly at my unknown visitor.

Gradually the surrounding atmosphere seemed to fill with sensations, and grew luminous. Everything about me seemed to rarefy, the mysterious visitor also becoming more airy and yet more distinct to my sight than before. I began to feel as one dying, or rather to experience the sensations I sometimes imagine accompanying death. I did not think, I did not reason, I did not move. All were alike impossible. I was only conscious of gazing fixedly, vacantly on my companion.

Presently I heard a voice say, “Son of the Republic, look and learn,” while at the same time my visitor extended an arm eastward. I now beheld a heavy white vapor at some distance rising fold upon fold. This gradually dissipated, and I looked upon the strange scene. Before me lay, out in one vast plain all the countries of the world — Europe, Asia, Africa, and America. I saw rolling and tossing between Europe and America lay billows of the Atlantic, and between Asia and America lay the Pacific.

“Son of the Republic”, said the same mysterious voice as before, “Look and learn.”

At that moment I beheld a dark shadowy being, like an angel, standing, or rather floating in mid-air, between Europe and America. Dipping water out of the ocean in the hollow of each hand, he sprinkled some upon America with his right hand, while with his left he cast some over Europe. Immediately a cloud arose from these countries and joined in mid-ocean. For awhile it remained stationary, and then it moved slowly westward, until it enveloped America in its murky folds. Sharp flashed of lightning gleamed through at intervals, and I heard the smothered groans and cries of the American People.

A second time the angel dipped water from the ocean and sprinkled it out as before. The dark cloud drew back to the ocean, in whose heaving billows it sank from view.

A third time I heard the mysterious voice saying, “Son of the Republic, look and learn.”

I cast my eyes upon America and beheld villages and town and cities spring up one right after another until the whole land from the Atlantic to the Pacific was dotted with them. Again, I heard the mysterious voice say, “Son of the Republic, the end of the century cometh, look and learn.”

And this time a dark shadowy angel turned his face southward. From Africa I saw an ill omened spectra approach our land. It flitted slowly and heavily over every town and city of the latter. The inhabitants presently set themselves in battle array against each other. As I continued look I saw a bright angel on whose brow was traced the word ‘Union.’ He was bearing the American flag. He placed the flag between the divided nation and said,

“Remember, ye are brethren. ”

Instantly the inhabitants, casting down their weapons became friends once more, and united around the National Standard.

Again I heard a mysterious voice saying, “Son of the Republic, look and learn.”

At this the dark, shadowy angel placed a trumpet to his mouth, and blew three distinct blasts; and taking water from the ocean, he sprinkled it upon Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Then my eyes beheld a fearful scene. From each of these continents arose thick black clouds that were soon joined into one. And throughout this mass there gleamed a dark red light by which I saw hordes of armed men. These men, moving with the cloud marched by land and sailed by sea to America, which country was enveloped in the volume of the cloud. And I dimly saw these vast armies devastate the whole country and burn the villages, towns and cities, which I had seen spring up.

As my ears listened to the thundering of the cannon, clashing of swords, and the shouts and cries of millions in mortal combat, I again heard the mysterious voice saying, “Son of the Republic, look and learn.”

When the voice had ceased, the dark shadowy angel placed his trumpet once more to his mouth, and blew a long and fearful blast. Instantly a light, as of a thousand suns shone down from above me, and pierced and broke into fragments of the dark cloud, which enveloped America. At the same moment the angel upon whose head still shown the word ‘Union,’ and who bore our national flag in one hand and a sword in the other, descended from the heavens attended by legions of white spirits. These immediately joined the inhabitants of America, who I perceived were well-nigh overcome, but who immediately taking courage again, closed up their broken ranks, and renewed battle.

Again amid the fearful voice of the conflict I heard the mysterious voice say, “Son of the Republic, look and learn.”

As the voice ceased, the shadowy angel for the last time dipped the water from the ocean and sprinkled it upon America. Instantly the dark clouds rolled back, together with the armies it had brought, leaving the inhabitants of the land victorious.

Then once more I beheld the villages, towns and cities springing up where I had seem them before, while the bright angel, planting the azure standard cried with a loud voice: “While the stars remain, and the heavens send down dew upon the earth, so long shall the Union last.”

And taking from his brow the crown, which blazoned the word ‘Union,’ he placed it down upon the standard while the people, kneeling down said, ‘Amen.’

The scene instantly began to fade and dissolve, and I at last saw nothing but the rising, curling vapor, I at first beheld. This also disappeared, and I found myself once more gazing upon the mysterious visitor who, in the same voice I heard before said:

“Son of the Republic, what you have seen is thus interpreted: Three great perils will come upon the Republic. The most fearful for her is the third. But the whole world united shall not prevail against her. Let every child of the Republic learn to live for his God, his land and Union.”

With these words the vision vanished, and I started from my seat and felt that I had seen a vision wherein had been showed me the birth, progress, and destiny of the United States.”

The First Presidential Address

Washington went on, of course, to become the first president of the United States. Though the report of his “vision” has fallen away from the pages of history books, he continued to impress upon his fellow citizens the importance of following the basic tenets of right and wrong.

In the first presidential address, Washington gave the newborn nation a prophetic warning, saying: ‘The propitious smiles of heaven cannot be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right that heaven itself has ordained.”

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