 |
Well Disposed to Give Battle – The Patriots of Charles County
I. Rising in Importance: Thomas Stone, part 1
II. Distinction & Despair: Thomas Stone, part 2
III. An Unusual voice for Independence: Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer
IV. President of the U.S. in Congress Assembled: John Hanson
V. Leading the Old Line: General William Smallwood
.
In the Company of Washington: Dr. James Craik
One famous Charles Countian was not actually born in Maryland and did not move to Charles County until his late 30s. Dr. James Craik became Physician General of the United States Army, the personal doctor of George Washington, tending to the early president’s final hours. Craik, himself, lived long enough to see America’s second war against the British, the War of 1812.
 |
| Dr. James Craik |
Craik was born in Scotland in 1730 and spent his formative years there in medical and academic training at the University of Edinburgh. Upon graduation he entered the medical service in the British army. In 1751 he was stationed in the West Indies.
Finding that he did not enjoy his experience, Craik resigned his commission and left the West Indies. He settled first in Norfolk, Virginia, but shortly thereafter, moved across the colony to Winchester, a frontier village in the western part of the colony. There he met the man with whom he would associate for the rest of his life, George Washington.
Craik arrived in Winchester just as preparations were being made for war. The French, enemies of the British for centuries, had moved troops into the area around modern day Pittsburgh, land that the British also claimed for themselves. The prior year, then 21-year-old Major Washington delivered a message to the French commander telling them to vacate the area; the French refused.
Now in 1754, Washington and his Virginia regiment relocated to Winchester and began to prepare for war. Despite having recently arrived, Craik willingly volunteered his services. Due to his medical experience, Crai