USA > Pennsylvania > Early history of western Pennsylvania, and of the West, and of western expeditions and campaigns, from MDCCLIV to MDCCCXXXIII > Part 10
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It was a subject of mortification to Colonel Washington, that Gov. Dinwiddie refused to ratify the capitulation in regard to the French pri- soners. The Governor thus explained his conduct in a letter to the Board of Trade-" The French, after the capitulation entered into with Colonel Washington, took eight of our people and exposed them to sale, and missing thereof, sent them prisoners to Canada. On hearing of this I detained the seventeen prisoners, the officer, and two cadets, as I am of opinion, after they were in my custody, Washington could not engage for their being returned. I have ordered a flag of truce to be sent to the French, offering the return of their officer and the two cadets for the two hostages they have of ours." This course of proceeding was not suitable to the principles of honor and sense of equity en- tertained by Colonel Washington, but he had no further control of the affair.
The hostages were not returned, as requested by the Governor's flag of truce, and the French prisoners were detained in Virginia, and sup- ported and clothed at the public charge, having a weekly allowance for that purpose. The private men were kept in confinement, but Drouil- lon and the two cadets were allowed to go at large, first in Williamsburg,
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then at Winchester, and last at Alexandria, where they resided when General Braddock arrived. It was then deemed improper for them to go at large, observing the motions of the general's army, and the Gov- ernor applied to Commodore Keppel to take them on board of his ship; but he declined, on the ground that he had no instructions about prison- ers. By the advice of General Braddock, the privates were put on board the transports, and sent to England. Mr. Drouillon and the cadets went passengers in another ship at the charge of the colony. La Force, hav- ing been only a volunteer in the skirmish, and not in a military capacity, and having previously committed acts of depredation on the frontiers, was kept in prison at Williamsburg. Being a person of ready resources and an enterprising spirit, he broke from prison and made his way several miles into the country, where his foreign accent betrayed him, and he was taken up, and remanded to close confinement." (1)
The conduct and courage of Col. Washington, in his supprize and capture of the French detachment under Jumonville, and in the battle of the Great Meadows, were greatly applauded, and the Assembly of Vir- ginia voted thanks to him and his officers. He retreated to Will's creek, and the French retired to their position at the junction of the Mononga- hela and Allegheny. (2)
After the battle of the Great Meadows, Colonel Innes was ordered to Will's creek to construct a fort, which would serve as a rallying point to the remaining forces, and a guard to the frontiers. This was after- wards called Fort Cumberland. It was chiefly built by the three inde- pendent companies : one from South Carolina, under Captain Mackay, and two others from New York, which were on their march from Alexandria to join Washington, at the time of the action at the Great Meadows. Ten four pounders, besides swivels, were mounted in the Fort. (3)
The remains of the army were collected here, together with a com- pany from Maryland ; but in consequence of the funds being exhausted and no pledge of future payment, the troops returned home, and left the frontiers without defence.
The necessity for taking bolder measures to contend with the com- bined forces of the French and Indians, was now evident to the English. The Assembly of Virginia met in October, and granted twenty thousand pounds for the public exigences, and the Governor received from Eng-
(1) Spark's Washington, Vol. 11. p. 456-68.
(2) Gordon's History of Penn'a, p. 283 .- Sparks, Vol. II. p. 464
(3) Sparks' Washington, Vol. II. p. 63.
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land ten thousand pounds sterling in specie, with the promise of ten thou- sand more, and two thousand stand of arms. Upon this he resolved to en- large the army to ten companies of one hundred men each, and to reduce them all to independent companies, by which there would be no officer in the Virginia regiment above the rank of a captain. This expedient he sup- posed would remedy the difficulty about rank, and the right to command, which had heretofore been the cause of much contention between the Colonial and British troops. Washington accordingly resigned, as he would not accept a lower commission than the one he held, and under which he had exhibited a rare example of bravery and good conduct, that had gained him the applause of the country. (1)
In the mean time Governor Sharpe of Maryland, had received an ap- pointment from the King of England, as Commander-in-chief of all the forces engaged against the French; and Col. Fitzhugh the second in command. Knowing the value of Col. Washington's experience and reputation, the Commander-in-chief endeavored to bring him back into the army: but Washington, although attached to the service, declined the degradation which had been planned by Governor Dinwiddie, proba- bly in concert with other British officers. (2)
Thus ended the miliary operations of the year 1754. The English colonists had been driven east of the mountains, and the Fench were in actual possession of the whole west, watered by the Ohio and its tributaries.
(1) Spark's Washington, Vol. II. p. 64.
(2) Spark's Washington, Vo . Il. p. 67.
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CHAPTER V.
THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT DETERMINED TO CHECK THE ENCROACHMENTS OF THE FRENCH IN AMERICA .- THE ARRIVAL OF GEN. BRADDOCK IN VIR- GINIA, WITH TWO REGIMENTS OF REGULAR TROOPS .- CALL UPON PENNSYL- VANIA FOR MEN AND MONEY .- HER RESOURCES IN 1755 .- CONVENTION OF COLONIAL GOVERNORS, AND PLAN OF THE CAMPAIGN .- EXPEDITION OF GEN. BRADDOCK AGAINST FORT DU QUESNE .- THE APPOINTMENT OF WASHINGTON AS ONE OF HIS AIDS .- HIS DIFFICULTIES IN OBTAINING SUPPLIES .-- THE MIS- SION OF DR. FRANKLIN AS AGENT OF THE ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA .-- HIS EXTRAORDINARY SERVICES .- THE MOVEMENT OF THE ARMY FROM FORT CUMBERLAND TO THE LITTLE MEADOWS .- A COUNCIL OF WAR CALLED, AND THE PLAN ADOPTED TO ADVANCE WITH 1,200 CHOSEN MEN .- THE AMBUSCADE OF THE FRENCH AND INDIANS .- THE BATTLE OF THE MONONGAHELA AND TO. TAL DEFEAT OF THE ARMY .- THE RETREAT UNDER WASHINGTON OF THE SURVIVORS .- THE DEATH AND BURIAL OF GEN. BRADDOCK .- THE PANIC OF COL. DUNBAR AND HIS DESTRUCTION OF THE STORES AND ARTILLERY, AND RETREAT OVER THE MOUNTAINS .- A DESCRIPTION OF THE BATTLE FIELD .-- THE CAUSES OF BRADDOCK'S DEFEAT .- THE BURIAL OF THE RELICS OF THE SLAIN .- CHARACTER OF GEN. BRADDOCK BY GRAHAME.
The British Government at last determined to oppose with energy the growing power of the French in America, and to regain possession of the territory upon the Ohio. Two regiments of foot from Ireland, under the command of Colonels Dunbar and Halket, were ordered to Virginia, to be there reinforced. In addition to this, Governor Shirley and Sir William Peperell were directed to raise two regiments of one thousand men each, in New England, to be commanded by themselves ; and three thousand more were to be enlisted in Pennsylvania, and the whole to be placed at the disposal of a Commander-in-chief, who should be sent from England.
On the 14th of January, 1755, Major General Edward Braddock, who had been appointed Commander-in-chief of all the King's forces in America, sailed from Cork with the forty-fourth and forty-eighth regi- ments of Royal troops, each consisting of five hundred men, one of them commanded by Col. Dunbar and the other by Sir Peter Halket, and arrived at Alexandria, in Virginia, on the 20th of February. (1)
The place of debarkation of the troops was selected with that igno- rance and want of judgment which then distinguished the British Min- istry. (2) The country could furnish neither provisions nor carriages for the army ; while Pennsylvania, rich in grain and well stocked with wagons, could readily have supplied food and the means to transport the army to any point. (3)
(1) Spark's Washington, Vol. II. p. 468.
(2) Gordon's History of Penn'a, p. 292.
(3) Gordon's History of Penn'a, p. 292.
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Immediately on the arrival of the troops at Alexandria, the Quarter- master General, Sir John St. Clair, required of Governor Morris of Pennsylvania, a supply of provisions, and that a road should be cut across the mountains from fort Loudon, in Franklin county, to the . Youghiogeny, to facilitate the transportation of troops and provisionss from Pennsylvania. Gen. Braddock also demanded the establishment of a post between Philadelphia and Winchester, the Pennsylvania quota of men and her portion of the general fund directed to be raised for the public service. (1)
The Assembly was convened by the Governor on the seventeenth day of March, and immediately provided the necessary funds both for the establishment of the mail and the opening of the roads, and also ) voted to raise a portion of the general fund. No troops were raised, however, for this expedition in Pennsylvania.
The Colony of Pennsylvania then contained about 300,000 inhabi- tants. It had no debt; possessed a surplus revenue of fifteen thou- sand pounds, in bank ; and was able, besides supplying her own peop- ple, to afford subsistence to 100,000 men. This amount of surplus produce was annually exported from Philadelphia, which, with other commodities, employed more than five hundred vessels, mostly owned by the merchants of the city. (2)
Soon after General Braddock arrived in Virginia, he called upon the ? Governors of Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York and Mas- sachusetts, to meet him in convention at Annapolis in Maryland, to con- cert measures for future operations. The meeting took place, but was adjourned to meet at Alexandria. (3) On the 14th of April, 1755, a ! council was held at camp Alexandria, Virginia, in which measures were concerted for the united action of the middle and northern colonies .- There were present at this council his Excellency Edward Braddock, Commander-in-chief of his Majesty's forces in North America ; Hon. Augustus Keppel, Commander-in-chief of his Majesty's ships and ves- sels in. North America; Hon. William Shirley, Governor of Massa- chusetts ; Hon. Robert Dinwiddie, Governor of Virginia; Hon. James Delancy, Governor of New York ; Hon. Horatio Sharpe, Governor of Maryland; and Hon. Robert Hunter Morris, Governor of Pennsylva- nia. (4)
In this council three expeditions were resolved on. The first against
(1) Gordon's History of Penn'a, p. 294.
(2) Gov. Morris' letter in Appendix, p. 59.
(3) Spark's Letters of Washington, Vol. II. p. 71.
(4) Provincial Records, N. p. 9, in Appendix, p. 63.
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fort Du Quesne, under the command of General Braddock in person, with the British troops, with such aid as he could derive from Maryland and Virginia, and there were afterwards added two independent compa- nies from New York ; the second against Niagara and Frontignac, under General Shirley, with his own (1) and Pepperell's regiments ; and the third against Crown Point, to be executed altogether with colo- nial troops from New England and New York, under Major General William Johnson. (2)
Gen. Braddock, with the forces destined to act against Fort Duquesne, left Alexandria on the 20th of April, two months after his arrival from England, and on the 24th, arrived at Fredericktown, in Maryland. After stopping some days at Fredericktown, he marched to Fort Cumberland on Will's creek, by the way of Winchester in Virginia, and arrived there about the 10th of May. Here he collected his forces, consisting of about one thousand regulars, thirty sailors from the fleet of Admiral Keppel, and twelve hundred provincial troops. Col. Washington hav- ing before resigned his commission in consequence, of a royal order, reducing his rank, as well as all other colonial field officers, was inactive at Mount Vernon. But Gen. Braddock, knowing the importance of securing his services for the expedition, earnestly solicited him to form one of his staff. He accepted, and his appointment as Aid-de-camp to the Commander-in-chief, was proclaimed to the Army in general orders, on the 10th of May at Fort Cumberland. (3)
Gen. Braddock, when at Fort Cumberland, with much severity of censure, complained of the lukewarmness of the colonial governments, in facilitating his enterprise, the dishonesty of agents, and the faithless- ness of contractors. The British ministry had furnished him with two regiments from the royal army and a train of artillery ; but expected the colonies to supply a still larger number of men, to open and repair roads through the wilderness, to provide subsistence for the army, and to furnish horses and carriages, to transport the stores and munitions of war over the mountains, from the seaboard to the Ohio.(4) But Gen. Braddock for the want of that temper and moderation which distinguish a man of sense, (5) was illy fitted to win the respect of the colonies, or to command colonial troops. He had too much self confidence, too
(1) Gov. Morris' letter, p. 60, in Appendix, shows that Shirley's regiment was partly raised in Pennsylvani.
(2) Gordon's History of Penn'a, p. 267.
(3) Washington's Letters, Spark's Vol. II, p. 69-76.
(4) Braddock's letter in the Appendix, p. 58.
(5) Washington's Letters in Spark's Vol. 11, p. 77.
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1
great a reliance upon the invincibility of regular troops, and too mean an opinion of both Americans and Indians. (1) Although all his requisi- tions upon the colonies were not complied with, in so prompt a manner as he was led to expect, yet under the circumstances, he had no reason to denounce them as devoid of patriotism and integrity. (2) Virginia and the adjoining colonies, although they had not as he expected fur- nished the requisite number of wagons and horses, had sent into the field thirteen hundred men, and voted their proportion of the expense for the campaign. Pennsylvania furnished troops for the northern ex- pedition against Niagara, under Gov. Shirly ; (3) established a post between Philadelphia and Winchester ; opened a difficult and expensive road over the Allegheny mountains from the Cumberland valley to the forks of the Youghiogheny ; supplied with promptitude the required number of wagons and horses, and provided abundant supplies for the army, and sent them to his camp, under an escort of Volunteers raised for the purpose. (4)
If there was any want of energy on the part of the colonies, it was more owing to measures which originated in the jealousies of the mo- ther country, than to any lack of patriotism. Before the commence- ment of the war, a Congress of Commissioners assembled at Albany, in June, 1754, and drew up and adopted a plan for the union of all the colonies, under one government, so far as might be necessary for defence and other important general purposes. By this plan the General Govern- ment was to be administered by a President General, appointed and supported by the Crown ; and a Grand Council, to be chosen by the Representatives of the people of the several colonies, met in their re- spective assemblies. This plan originated with, and was drawn up by Dr. Franklin, who was a member of the Congress at Albany. This plan, which would have given unity and energy of action in the public defence, was rejected by the British Government as too democratic. Its jealousy did not permit it to trust such an union for defence, lest the colonies should thereby grow too military, and feel their own strength.(5) Not content with preventing the colonies from acting unitedly in their own defence, the British Government took measures to dampen the ardor of the colonial troops, by degrading every American officer, how- ever distinguished for his valor or services, whose merit had raised him
(1) Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin, Vol. 1, p. 148.
(2) French Memoire, p. 198.
(3) Gov. Morris' Letters in the Appendix, p. 60, 73, 75.
(4) Gov. Morris' Letter in the Appendix, p. 75.
(5) Franklin's Memoirs, Vol. I. p. 137-138-142.
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above the command of an independent company. Gen. Braddock had orders to suffer no American field officer to take command of even a battalion of colonial troops. (1) Under such circumstances, Gen. Brad- dock could not reasonably expect that hearty co-operation, which he even did receive from the several colonies.
In a letter to Governor Morris, dated only eight days after his arrival, Gen. Braddock charges the Assembly of Pennsylvnia, in a rude and ill- tempered manner, with pusillanimous and improper behaviour, and threatens such as oppose his wishes, with punishment. (2) This letter was probably written in consequence of the misrepresentations of the royal Governor, in relation to the raising of money to defray the expen- ses of the campaign. The Assembly of Pennsylvania was always willing and ready to supply her full share of the funds necessary for the common defence, but that sense of right and common justice, which ever distinguished our fathers, prevented them from submitting to a pub- lic wrong. It was the Proprietaries, the hereditary Governors, and not the Assembly that prevented the raising of supplies for Gen. Brad- dock. Whenever any expense was to be incurred for the defence of the Province, with incredible meanness, these hereditary Governors in- structed their deputies to pass no act levying the necessary taxes, unless their vast estates, were in the same act, expressly, exonerated. When the proprietaries, in 1756, sent orders to their Receiver General to add five thousand pounds out of their money, to the public fund, in lieu of taxes, the Assembly immediately voted a tax of sixty thousand pounds, and a bill was passed for establishing and disciplining a volunteer militia. (3)
Notwithstanding the unjust and impolitic letter of the Commanding General, and the course of the Royal Governor, the Assembly of Penn-
(1) The following order of the King, dated at St. James, November 12, 1754. respecting the rank of colonial officers, was brought out by Gen. Braddock : " All troops serving by commission signed by us, or by our General Com- manding-in-Chief in North America, shall take rank before all troops, which may serve by commission from any of the Governors, Lieutenant or Deputy Governors, or President for the time being. And it is our further pleasure, that the General and field officers of the provincial troops shall have no rank with the General and field officers who serve by commission from us, but that all Captains and other inferior officers of our forces, who are or may be em- ployed in North America, are on all detachments, courts martial, and other duty, wherein they may be joined with officers serving by commission from the Governors, Lieutenant, or Deputy Governors, or President for the time being of the said provinces, to command and take post of the said provincial officers of the like rank, though the commissions of the said provincial officers of like rank should be of elder date."-Spark's II. p. 68.
(2)Braddock's letter in the Appendix, page 57.
(3) Franklin's Memoirs, Vol. I. p. 140, 141, 153.
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sylvania, knowing the prejudices entertained against them, yet anxious to advance the public service, commissioned Benjamin Franklin to wait upon General Braddock, not as from them, but as Postmaster-General, under the guise of settling with him the mode of transmitting, with the most celerity and certainty, the dispatches between him and the Gover- nors of the several provinces, with whom he must necessarily have cor- respondence ; and of which the Assembly of Pennsylvania proposed to pay. Dr. Franklin met the General at Fredericktown, waiting impa- tiently for the return of those whom he had sent through the back parts of Maryland and Virginia to collect horses and wagons. He staid with him several days, during which time he took every opportunity to re- move his prejudices, by detailing to him what the Assembly had actually done before his arrival, and what they were still willing to do, to facili- tate his operations.(1) When Franklin was about to return to Philadel- phia, the returns of wagons to be obtained were brought in, by which it appeared that, instead of twenty-five hundred horses and two hundred wagons which he expected,(2) the number of wagons amounted to only twenty-five, and not all of those were in a serviceable condition. Gene- ral Braddock and all the officers were surprised, declared the expedition to be at an end, it being impossible, and exclaimed against the Ministers for ignorantly sending them into a country destitute of the means of conveying their stores, baggage and munitions of war ;- that not less than one hundred and fifty wagons and two thousand horses were ne- cessary. Franklin remarked, that it would have greatly advanced the public service, if the troops had landed in Pennsylvania, as in that pro- vince almost every farmer had his wagon and horses. General Brad- dock eagerly pressed Franklin to procure the horses and wagons in Pennsylvania.(3) He then entered into a contract to furnish the re- quired number within a given time, for which a specified sum was to be allowed ; and immediately returned to York and Lancaster, sent out an advertisement among the farmers, and in two weeks one hundred and fifty wagons and more than two thousand horses were at Fort Cumber- land.(4) The House of Assembly of Pennsylvania, complimented
(1) Franklin's Memoirs, Vol. I. pages 142-143.
(2) Braddock's Letter, in Spark's Washington, Vol. II. page 78.
(3) Franklin's Memoirs, Vol. II. page 143.
(4) General Braddock was fully aware of the nature and value of this ser- vice. On the 5th of June he wrote from Will's Creek to the Secretary of State as follows :
" Before I left Williamsburg, the Quarter-master General told me, that I might depend upon twenty-five hundred horses and two hundred wagons from Virginia and Maryland ; but I had great reason to doubt it, having expe-
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Franklin for this important service, with an unanimous vote of thanks.(2) He gave his personal security to the farmers that they should be paid according to contract .*
rienced the false dealings of all in this country, with whom I had been con- cerned. Hence, before my departure from Frederick, I agreed with Mr. Benjamin Franklin, Postmaster in Pennsylvania, who has great credit in that province, to hire one hundred and fifty wagons and the necessary number of borses. This he accomplished with promptitude and fidelity, and it is almost the only instance of address and integrity, which I have seen in all these pro- vinces."-French Memoire, p. 198.
(2) When Franklin returned to Philadelphia, the House of Assembly was in session, and unanimously passed a vote of thanks " to Benjamin Franklin, a member of this House, for the great services done to the King's forces and to this province, in his late journey through Maryland and our back counties." It should also be added, that no profit on his own account was either expected or received. On the contrary, after Gen. Braddock's death, the owners of the wagons and horses came upon Franklin for their pay, amounting in all to nearly twenty thousand pounds; and he was much embarrassed with these claims, till they were finally allowed and settled by General Shirley, who succeeded Braddock in command .- Votes of Pennsylvania Assembly, Vol. IV. p. 379 .- Franklin's Memoirs, Vol. I. pp. 142, 152.
* What those terms were will appear, says Franklin, in the advertisement I published soon as I arrived at Lancaster; which being, from the great and sudden effect it produced, a piece of some curiosity, I shall insert at length, as follows :
ADVERTISEMENT.
" Lancaster, April 26th, 1755.
" Whereas, one hundred and fifty wagons, with four horses to each wagon, and fifteen hundred saddle or pack horses are wanted for the service of his Majesty's forces, now about to rendezvous at Wills' Creek ; and his excel- lency, General Braddock, having been pleased to empower me to contract for the hire of the same, I hereby give notice, that I shall attend for that purpose at Lancaster from this day to next Wednesday evening ; and at York from next Thursday morning till Friday evening ; where I shall be ready to agree for wagons and teams, or single horses, on the following terms, viz : 1. That there shall be paid for each wagon with four good horses and a driver, fifteen shillings per diem. And for each able horse with a pack-saddle, or other sad- dle and furniture, two shillings per diem. And for cach able horse without a saddle, eighteen-pence per diem. 2. That the pay commence from the time of their joining the forces at Wills' Creek (which must be on or before the 20th of May ensuing), and that a reasonable allowance be paid over and above for the time necessary for their travelling to Wills' Creek and home again after their discharge. 3. Each wagon and team, and every saddle or pack- horse, is to be valued by indifferent persons chosen between me and the owner; and in case of the loss of any wagon, team, or other horse in the service, the price according to such valuation is to be allowed and paid. 4. Seven days' pay is to be advanced and paid in hand by me to the owner of each wagon, team, or other horse, at the time of contracting, if required, and the remain- der to be paid by General Braddock, or by the paymaster of the army, at the time of their discharge : or from time to time as it shall be demanded. 5. No drivers of wagons, or persons taking care of the hired horses, are on any ac- count to be called upon to do the duty of soldiers, or be otherwise employed than in conducting or taking care of their carriages or horses, 6. All oats, Indian corn, or other forage, that wagons or horses bring to the camp, more than is necessary for the subsistence of the horses, is to be taken for the use of the army, and a reasonable price paid for the same.
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