USA > Virginia > Historical collections of Virginia : containing a collection of the most interesting facts, traditions, biographical sketches, anecdotes, &c. relating to its history and antiquities ; together with geographical and statistical descriptions ; to which is appended, an historical and descriptive sketch of the District of Columbia. > Part 14
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" During the whole of the action, as reported by an officer who witnessed his conduct, Col. Washington behaved with . the greatest courage and resolution.' Captains Orme and Morris, the two other aids-de-camp, were wounded and disabled, and the duty of distributing the general's orders devolved on him alone. He rode in every direction, and was a conspicuous mark for the enemy's sharpshooters. .. By the all-powerful dispensa-
* Washington said-" The Virginia troops showed a good deal of bravery, and wore nearly all killed ; for, I believe, out of three companies that were there, scarcely 30 men are left alive. Capt. Peyrouny, and all his officers down to a corporal, were killed. Capt. Polson had nearly as hard a fate, for only one of his was left. In short, the das. tardly behavior of those they call regulars, exposed all others that were inclined to do their duty, to almost certain death ; and, at last, in despite of all the efforts of the officers to the contrary, they ran as sheep pursued by dogs, and it was impossible to rally them. It is conjectured, (I believe with much truth,) that two-thirds of car killed and wounded received their shot from our own cowardly regulars, who gathered themselves into a body. contrary to orders, ten or twelve deep-would then level, fire, and shoot down the men before them."
t " There had long existed a tradition that Braddock was killed by one of his own men, and more recent developments leave little or no doubt of the fact. A recent writer says : "' When my father was removing with his family to the west, one of the Fausetts kept a public house to the eastward from, and near where Uniontown now stands, as the county seat of Fayette, Penn. This man's house we lodged in about the tenth of October, 1781, twenty-six years and a few months after Braddock's defeat, and there it was made any thing but a secret that one of the family dealt the death-blow to the British general.
"' Thirteen years afterwards I met Thomas Fausett in Fayette co., then, as he told me, in his 70th year. To him I put the plain question, and received a plain reply, " I did shoot him !" He then went on to insist, that, by doing so, he contributed to save what was left of the army. In brief, in my youth, I never heard the fact either doubted or blamed, that Fausett shot Braddock.'
" Hon. Andrew Stewart, of Uniontown, says he knew, and often conversed.with Tom Fausett, who did not hesitate to avow, in the presence of his friends, that he shot Gen. Braddock. Fausett was a man of gigantic frame, of uncivilized half-savage propensi- ties, and spent most of his life among the mountains, as a hermit, living on the game which he killed. He would occasionally come into town, and get drunk. Sometimes he would repel inquiries into the affair of Braddock's death, by putting his fingers to his lips and uttering a sort of buzzing sound ; at others, he would burst into tears, and appear greatly agitated by conflicting passions.
" In spite of Braddock's silly order, that the troops should not protect themselves behind trees, Joseph Fausett had taken such a position, when Braddock rode up, in a passion, and struck him down with ils sword. Tom Pauseit, who was but a short dis- tance from his brother, saw the whole transaction, and immediately drew up his ritte and shot Braddock through the lungs, partly in revenge for the outrage upon his brother, and partly, as he always alleged, to get the general out of the way, and thus save the remainder of the gallant band, who had been sacrificed to his obstinacy, and want of experience in frontier warfare."-Day's Penn.
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tions of Providence,' said he, in a letter to his brother, ' I have been protected beyond. all human probability or expectation, for I had four bullets through my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet I escaped unhurt, although death was levelling my companions on every side of mc.'* So bloody a contest has rarely been witnessed. The number of officers in the engagement was 86, of whom 26 were killed, and 37 were wounded. The killed and wounded of the privates amounted to 714. On the other hand, the enemy's loss was small. Their force amounted, at least, to 850 men, of whom 600 were Indians, According to the returns, not more than 40 were killed. They fought in deep ravines, concealed by the bushes, and the balls of the English passed over their heads.
" The remnant of Braddock's army being put to flight, and having re-crossed the river, Col. Washington hastened to meet Col. Dunbar, and order up horses and wagons for the wounded. Three days were occupied in retreating to Gist's plantation. The enemy did not pursue them. Satiated with carnage and plunder, the Indians could not be tempted from the battle-field, and the French were too few to. act without their aid. 'The unfortunate general, dying of his wounds, was transported first in a tumbril, then on a horse, and at last was carried by the soldiers. He expired the fourth day, and was buried in the road near Fort Necessity. A new panic seized the troops ; disorder and confusion reigned ; the artillery was destroyed ; the public stores and heavy baggage were burnt, no one could tell by whose orders ; nor were discipline and tranquillity re- stored, till the straggling and bewildered companies arrived at Fort Cumberland.
"Such was the termination of an enterprise, one of the most memorable in American history, and alinost unparalleled for its disasters and the universal disappointment and Constotuation it occasioned. Notwithstanding its total and Even disgraceful failure, the bitter invectives everywhere poured out against its principal conductors, and the re- proaches heaped upon the memory of its ill-fated commander, yet the fame and charac- ter of Washington were greatly enhanced by it. It was known that he gave prudent counsel to General Braddock, which was little heeded. During the march, a body of Indians offered their services, which, at the earnest request and recommendation of Wash- ington, were accepted, but in so cold a manner, and the Indians were treated with so much neglect, that they withdrew, one after another, in disgust. On the evening pre- ceding the action, they came again to camp and renewed their offer. Again-Col. Wash- ington interposed, and urged the importance of these men as scouts and outguards, their knowledge of the grounds and skill in fighting among woods. Relying on the prowess of his regular troops, and disdaining such allies, the general peremptorily refused to re- ceive them, in a tone not more decided than ungracious. Had a scouting party of a dozen Indians preceded the army after it crossed the Monongahela, they would have detected the enemy in the ravines, and reversed the fortunes of the day."t
After the defeat of Braddock, Col. Dunbar, who succeeded to the command, marcbed his troops to Philadelphia. The whole fron- tier, even to the Blue Ridge, was now harassed and horror-strick- en by the bloody incursions of the French Indians. Col. Wash- ington, in his capacity as adjutant-general of militia, circulated orders for them to assemble in their respective districts for exer- cise and review. Volunteer companies were organized, and the martial spirit of the people revived. Addresses were made to them from the pulpit, in one of which, the eloquent Samuel Davies of Hanover, after complimenting the bravery shown by the Vir- ginia troops, added the following encomium, which seems almost
* When Washington went to the Ohio, in 1770. to explore wild lands near the mouth of the Kenhawa River, he met an aged Indian chief, who told him, through an inter- preter, that during the battle of Braddock's field, he had singled him out as a conspicu- ous object, fired his rifle at him many times, and directed his young warriors to do the same ; but none of his balls took effect. He was then persuaded that the young hero was under fire special guardianship of the Great Spirit, and ceased firing at him. He bad now come a long way to pay homage to the man who was the particular favorite of heaven, and who could never die in battle.
+ Sparks' Life of Washington, from which much important information relating 10 this war is inserted in this chapter.
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prophetic. " As a remarkable instance of this, I may point out to the public that heroic youth, Col. Washington, whom I cannot but hope Providence has hitherto preserved in so signal a manner for some important service to his country."
In consequence of the desperate state of affairs, Gov. Dinwiddie convened the Assembly on the 4th of August. They voted £40,- 000 for the public service, and enlarged their regiment to sixteen companies. Money was also granted to Col. Washington and the other officers and privates, " for their gallant behavior and losses," in the late disastrous battle. To Col. Washington was given the command of all the forces raised and to be raised in Virginia, with the unusual privilege of selecting his own field-officers. He now applied himself with his wonted energy to the discharge of the high responsibility conferred upon him. Lieut. Col. Adam Ste- phens, and Major Andrew Lewis, were the field officers next in rank. Washington's head quarters were at Winchester. After putting affairs in train, he performed a tour of inspection among the mountains, visiting all the outposts in the frontier, from Fort Cumberland to Fort Dinwiddie, on Jackson's river. He then start- ed for Williamsburg, to confer with the governor on the plan of operations, when he was overtaken below Fredericksburg by an express, announcing a new irruption of the savages upon the back settlements, He hastened back, mustered a force, and gave a timely and effectual check to the invaders, but not such as to quiet the fears of the settlers, many of whom, with their families, fled into the lower country, and increased the general terror.
The defects of the militia system were such as to put the pa- tience of Col. Washington to a severe trial. He represented in strong language, to the government of the colony, these defects, and their fatal consequences, and at last prevailed. A new law was passed providing a remedy, but too late in the year for him to undertake offensive operations.
In April of the ensuing year, (1756,) when the Assembly again met at Williamsburg. Col. Washington hastened thither to mature a plan for defence during the summer. Had the several colonies united, the intruding French might have been driven from the Ohio ; but local jealousies prevented a union, and Virginia saw that the most strenuous exertions were necessary to defend their long line of frontier. . The Assembly determined to augment the army to 1500 men. A bill was passed for drafting militia to sup- ply the deficiency of recruits. Col. Washington returned to Win- chester. But a few men were stationed there, most of the regi- ment being scattered at different posts for the better protection of the frontiers. The enemy, encouraged by the successes of the pre- ceding year, were continually on the alert, and accounts were daily received of fresh massacres by them. Seouting parties, and even forts were attacked, and some of the bravest troops killed. Serious apprehensions were felt for the safety of Winchester. The number of troops was wholly insufficient for the protection of the
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settlers. Col. Washington, deeply affected by the scenes he wit- nessed, addressed a letter to the governor, in which he said :
" I see their situation, I know their danger, and participate their sufferings, without having if in my power to give them further relief than uncertain promnses. In short. I see inevitable destruction in so clear a light, that, unless vigorous measures are taken by the Assembly. and speedy assistance sent from below, the poor inhabitants now in forts must unavoidably fall, while the remainder are flying before the barbarous foc. In fine, the melancholy situation of the people, the little prospect of assistance, the gross and scandalous abuses cast upon the officers in general, which is reflecting on me in par- ticular, for suffering misconduct of such extraordinary kind, and the distant prospect, if any, of gaining reputation in the service, cause me to lament the hour that gave me a commission, and would induce me, at any other time than this of imminent danger, to resign, without one hesitating moment, a command from which I never expect to reap either honor or benefit ; but, on the contrary, have almost an absolute certainty of incurring displeasure below, while the murder of helpless families may be laid to my ac- count here.
" The supplicating tears of the women, and moving petitions of the men, melt mc with such deadly sorrow, that I solemnly declare, if I know my own mind, I could offer myself a willing sacrifice to the butchering enemy, provided that would contribute to the people's ease."
These agonizing sensations were heightened by base calumnies against the army, and indirectly against the commander-in-chief, which seemed for a while to gain public credence.
" By degrees," says Sparks, " the plot was uuravelled. The governor, being a Scotch- man, was surrounded by a knot of his Caledonian friends, who wished to profit by this alliance, and obtain for themselves a larger share of consideration than they could com- mand in the present order of things. The discontented, and such as thought their merits undervalued, naturally fell into this faction. To create dissatisfaction in the army, and cause the officers to resign from disgust, would not only distract the councils of the ruling party, but make room for new promotions. Col. Innes, the governor's * favorite, would ascend to the chief command, and the subordinate places would be re- served for his adherents. Hence false rumors were set afloat, and the pen of detraction was busy to disseminate them. The artifice was easily seen through, and its aims were defeated by the leaders on the patriotic side, who looked to Col. Washington as a pillar to support their cause."
The campaign being solely a defensive one, no opportunities were allowed for obtaining laurels. The scenes of the past year were re-enacted, the savages continued their murderous incursions, there was the same tardiness in enlistments, the same troubles with the militia, and to increase the difficulties, the governor, tenacious of his authority, intrusted insufficient power to Col. Washington. " Totally unskilled in military affairs, and residing 200 miles from the scene of action, he yet undertook to regulate the principal operations ; sending expresses back and forth, and issuing vague, contradictory orders, seldom adapted to circumstances -- frequently impracticable. The summer and autumn were passed in skirmishes with the Indians, repairing the old forts, and building new ones. By the advice of Col. Washington, a large fort was begun at Winchester, as a depository for the military stores, and a rallying point for the settlers and troops, should they be driven from the frontiers. It was called Fort Loudoun, in honor of the Earl of Loudoun, who had now succeeded Gen. Shirley in the American command." Traces of this fortification remain to the present day.
As the year drew to a close, Col. Washington drew up a paper
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of the military affairs of the province, which he transmitted to Lord Loudoun. It contained a history of the war and valuable suggestions for future operations. It was courteously received. In March, (1757,) Washington attended a meeting, at Philadelphia, of several governors and principal officers, summoned by Lord Loudoun, to consult upon a comprehensive plan for the next cam- paign. It was decided that the principal efforts should be made on the lakes and Canada border, while the southern and middle colonies were left on the defensive. Col. Washington strenuously recommended an expedition against Fort Duquesne. Had his views been adopted it would have saved the expense of another campaign, and secured the borders from the savage incursions. From this conference Washington returned to Winchester, where he had spent the two preceding years. His routine of duties was the same. The Indians still continued their hostilities.
The assembly, prorogued to the 27th of October, (1757,) was dis- solved on the 9th of November, and writs were issued for a new assembly to meet on the 22d of the same month. A day of fasting and prayer was appointed.
While the Assembly were deliberating upon measures of de- fence, the French general, Montcalm, took the posts of Oswego and Ontario, and his savage allies continued their murderous in- roads upon the frontiers, Col. Armstrong, at the head of about 300 provincials, attacked one of their towns situated about 25 miles above Fort Duquesne, killed 40 Indians, and rescued eleven prisoners.
Dinwiddie sailed for England in January, 1758. much to the satisfaction of the people of Virginia. Originally a petty clerk of customs in the West Indies, he had brought himself under the notice of government by the detection of an enormous system of fraud on the part of his principal, and was thereupon immediately rewarded by the appointment of governor of Virginia. In this situation, charges were brought against him of extorting illegal fees, and appropriating the public funds to his private purposes. His public course was vacillating. his deportment arrogant, and he was wholly devoid of those qualities becoming his station, and particularly requisite at the perilous time he was intrusted with such high powers. Lord Loudoun had been commissioned as his successor, but his military duties at the north prevented him from entering upon the duties of his office. His place was filled. temporarily, by John Blair, president of the council, until the arri- val. on the 7th of June, of Gov. Francis Fauquier.
Mr. Pitt having acceded to the British ministry in the spring of' this year, (1758.) he resolved to prosecute the war with energy in Anierica. Gen. Forbes was appointed to the command of an ex- pedition against Fort Duquesne. To further his plans, he wrote a circular letter to several of the colonies to incite them to action, and offering certain supplies at the expense of the king. The Virginia Assembly augmented their force to 2000 men, They
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were divided into two regiments : the first under Col. Washing- ton, who still continued commander-in-chief of all the Virginia troops ; the second under Col. Byrd. Early in July, Washington marched from Winchester with the principal part of the Virginia troops, to Fort Cumberland. Six companies of the Ist regiment proceeded by another route, and joined Col. Boquet at Raystown, the general place of rendezvous for the 6000 troops destined for the conquest of Duquesne. While at Fort Cumberland, Col. Washington learned that Gen. Forbes thought of constructing a new road to Duquesne, instead of following the one made by Braddock. He made the most strenuous objection against the plan, " when," as he said, there was " scarce time left to tread the beaten track, universally confessed to be the best passage through the mountains." His efforts were in vain. Col. Boquet was or- dered by Gen. Forbes, who was absent, to send forward parties to work upon the new road. " Six weeks had been thus spent, when Gen. Forbes arrived at Raystown, about the middle of September. Forty-five miles only had been gained by the advanced party, then cuisirueting a fort at Loyal Hanna, the main army being still at Raystown, and the larger part of the Virginia troops at Fort Cum- berland. At that moment the whole army might have been before the walls of Fort Duquesne, if they had marched as advised by Washington. An easy victory would have ensued ; for it was ascertained that the French at that time, including Indians, num- bered not more than 800 men."
From Loval Hanna, Colonel Boquet rashly detached Major Grant, a British officer, with a force of 800 men, to reconnoitre in the vicinity of Fort Duquesne.
" This officer reached a hill near the fort during the night, and having posted his men in different columns, he sent forward a party to examine the works and discover the situation of the enemy. He also detached Major Andrew Lewis with a baggage guard about two miles in his rear ; and having made such other arrangements as he deemed necessary, he believed himself secure, aud, with more parade than prudence, ordered the réveille, or alarm, to be beaten. During all this the silence reigned in the fort, which Grant imputed to the terrors imposed by his appearance. But the calm was a dreadful precursor of a storm, which burst with resistless fury and unexpected ruin. The mo- ment the Indians and French were ready for the attack, they issued from the fort, spread- ing death and dismay among the provincial troops. ' As soon as the attack was an- nounced by the firing of guns, Major Lewis, with his rear-guard, advanced to the assistance of Grant, leaving only fitty men, under the command of Captain Bullet, to guard the baggage. Their united forces, however, were unable to withstand the impetuous assault of the savages, whose warwhoop is always a forerunner of havoc and destruction. The fire of the rifle requires coolness and deliberation, whereas the tomahawk and scalping- knife are fitted for sanguinary dispatch. No quarter was given by the Indians. Major Grant saved his life only by surrendering to a French officer. In the same way the brave Major Lewis escaped, after defending himself against several Indians succes- sively, The two principal officers being now in the hands of the enemy, the rout be- came general among their troops, In their pursuit, the Indians exercised every cruelty which savage ferocity could inflict upon the hapless victims whom the sad fortune of the day delivered into their hands. The situation of the retreating troops, at this time, must appear truly desperate. They were in an enemy's country, far from any English settlement, as well as from any immediate prospect of succor ; routed and dispersed by a bloody and vindictive foe, whose intimate knowledge of the woods and superior agilvy scemed to threaten a total destruction of the party. Their escape, however, was effected by the prudence and heroism of Camain Bullet, of the baggage guard, by a manœuvre
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no less fortunate for his men than honorable to himself. This officer, immediately on discovering the rout of the troops, dispatched on the strongest horses the most neces- sary part of the baggage, and disposing the remainder on an advantageous part of the rood, es a kind of breastwork, he posted his men behind it, and endeavored not only to rally the fugitives as they came up, but by a well-directed fire to check the violence of the purencre. Finding the enemy growing too strong to be withstood by his ietble force, he ordered his men, according to previous agreement, to reverse their arms and march up in front of their assailants, holding out a signal for capitulation, as if going to surrender. The impatience of the Indians to bathe their tomahawks in English blood, would scarcely allow them to suspend their attacks, while the latter appeared in the act of suing for mercy. The moment they had arrived within about eighty yards of the enemy, Bullet gave the word to fire :- a dreadful volley was instantly poured upon the Indians, and was followed by a furious charge with fixed bayonets. The enemy were unable to resist this bold and unexpected attack, and believing that the army of the English was at hand, they fled with precipitation ; nor did they stop until they reached the French regulars. Bullet, instead of pursuing them, wisely retreated towards the main body of the army, collecting in his march the wounded and wandering soldiers, who had escaped from the field of battle without knowing whither to direct their course In this fatal action, about twenty officers, and two hundred and seventy-three private soldiers, were either killed or taken prisoners.
" The Virginia troops on this occasion behaved with courage, and suffered severely in the action ; but the gallant conduct of Captain Bullet is almost without a parallel in American history. His situation, after the defeat of Grant, to an officer of less discern- ment must have appeared desperate. To resist the triumphant savages with a handful of men, would seem madness; and to have fled without any hopes of escape, would have been folly. In this dilemma, with scarcely time to deliberate, Bullet adopted the only plan which could preserve himself and his men from the most cruel death, or the most distressing captivity."
The dilatory and unwise method of carrying on the expedition alarmed the Virginia Assembly for the fate of the expedition, and they resolved to recall their troops and place them upon the pro- tection of their own frontier. But subsequent information occa- sioned them to revoke these resolves.
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