who fought with the English and was a mentor to Major George Washington in the
French and Indian War which the English won with the help of Half King, Tanacharison.
For some reason, Native American leaders were called Half Kings and that is
what Tanacharison was called, Half King.
Washington surveyed the country from the Atlantic Ocean to the Ohio Territory when
he was only 15 years old--he knew the territory. However Half King knew the area
even better and he spoke French. They met up in the French and Indian War and
Half King who was head of the Seneca and Iroquois, here again he was obscured
in history. Half King was captured as a boy by the French so he spoke fluent French,
but hated the French. He was grateful to be fighting with the British and the young
Major Washington. Washington learned how to fight like an Indian and Half King
was his mentor and did reconnaissance for young Washington.
Some historians think the French and Indian War was more important than the
Revolution. It helped define the colonies and Washington was angry with the
British because he could not be appointed to a higher position than Commander-in
Chief of the Virgiania Colony that included West Virginia and part of Pennsyvania.
The British would not appoint Washington to a higher position in their forces;
therefore, alienating Washington. This would be the British downfall.
Remember there was no West Point Academy, it was a Fort. Commander Gist
and Half King Tanacharison were his mentors, and Washington learned his
military skills from both men, but Tanacharison was probably his most valuable
teacher and Washington was a brilliant student/leader.
Strieby blogged about the black man, now it is about the Native Indian, and
of course, Commander-in-Chief Washington.
Remember Tanacharison was head of all the Seneca Tribes, including the
Iroquois on the East Coast.. He spoke fluent French and knew the territory
better than Washington and Gist.
Again, three men who birthed our Nation. Sadly two are overlooked by the
historians of the day and still are not taught this in schools.
Mayor Molly McMole aka Lorraine Strieby
Researched by Strieby for her book, Why is a Spy Called a Mole
