General Howe"s Dog: George Washington, the Battle for Germantown and the Dog Who Crossed Enemy Lines
Before they were generals-they were gentlemen. A remarkable footnote to history surfaced during America"s fight for independence. After the Battle of Germantown, General George Washington came across a stray dog wearing an inscribed collar marking him as the property of British general William Howe-the very man Washington was trying to defeat. As a well-bred gentleman and man of his times, Washington did the proper thing: he returned the dog to his adversary, along with a polite note. Though separated by ideals and loyalties, both Washington and Howe adhered to a common code of conduct. Following the early lives of both men, General Howe"s Dog provides a fascinating account of their upbringings and ascents through the military ranks, detailing how enemies on the battlefield composed themselves as respectable gentlemen in the midst of war. It is a rarely seen glimpse into the personality and character of the father of our country.