The campaign was perfectly wild from the outset, and if it had not been for the utter indifference to danger displayed by Washington, and the consequent timidity of the French, that particular body of Virginians would have been permanently lost to the British Empire.
But we learn from all this many things.

It appears that Washington was not merely a brave man, but one who loved fighting for its own sake.
The whole expedition shows an arbitrary temper and the most reckless courage, valuable qualities, but here unrestrained, and mixed with very little prudence.

Some important lessons were learned by Washington from the rough teachings of inexorable and unconquerable facts.

He received in this campaign the first taste of that severe experience which by its training developed the self-control and mastery of temper for which he became so remarkable.

He did not spring into life a perfect and impossible man, as is so often represented.