by Indians of the Ottawa nation," was the information given in answer to
his question.
Mr. Frazier informed Washington that an Indian queen, living three miles
distant, had taken offense because he did not call upon her on his way
to the fort. As he was obliged to wait two days for horses, he paid her
a visit and made her a present of a watch-coat.
Washington's final entry in his journal is:
"Tuesday, the 1st of January, 1774, we left Mr. Frazier's house, and
arrived at Mr. Gist's, at Monongahela, the 2d, where I bought a horse
and saddle. The 6th, we met seventeen horses loaded with materials and
stores for a fort at the fork of the Ohio, and the day after, some
families going out to settle. This day we arrived at Will's Creek,
after as fatiguing a journey as it is possible to conceive, rendered so
by excessive bad weather. From the first day of December to the
fifteenth, there was but one day on which it did not rain or snow
incessantly; and throughout the whole journey we met with nothing but
one continued series of cold, wet weather, which occasioned very
uncomfortable lodgings, especially after we had quitted our tent, which
was some screen from the inclemency of it."
Washington arrived at Williamsburg on the sixteenth day of January, and
immediately reported to Governor Dinwiddie, delivering the reply of the
French commander; the belts of wampum from the Indian tribes, as pledges
of friendship; together with his journal, as his report of the
expedition.
Weems says, "The governor was much pleased with the Indian belts, more
with the Frenchman's letter, but most of all with Washington's journal."
"I shall have your journal published immediately," said the governor to
Washington.
"I beg your honor not to give it to the public in print," replied
Washington; "it is a very defective document, written, as it was, in the
wilderness, under the most unfavorable circumstances. It was intended
for no eyes but yours."
"My dear man," said the hearty Scotchman, "you are altogether too modest
in this matter. I am sure that the document is worthy of the greatest
publicity."
"But you will grant me the privilege of amending it," pleaded
Washington, almost frightened at the idea of his journal appearing in
print.
"Indeed, major, there is no time for that now," answered the governor.
"The Assembly will rise to-morrow or next day, and I want each member to
have several copies to carry home with him. You need not give yourself
any uneasiness, man, for your journal is worthy of a perusal by the King
of Great Britain, and I intend to present him with a copy."
The journal went to press at once, and was in the hands of members of
the Assembly before the adjournment. It was received with the greatest
enthusiasm and praise everywhere, and was published in all the papers of
the Colony. Copies were sent to England, and there it appeared in the
journals of the day.
XI.
HIS FIRST BATTLE.
Washington's report concerning the designs of the French created intense
excitement in Virginia and the neighboring Colonies. Governor Dinwiddie
could see no other way to maintain the dignity of his government than by
a resort to arms. He so reported to his Majesty the King of England. The
excitement there became even greater than it was in America. Everybody
wanted to fight to vindicate the nation's honor. The popular
conversation was a declaration of war against the French.
The British Government was not long in framing instructions to the
American Colonies, and orders were issued that they should unite in one
confederacy and drive the French out of the land. The king directed
Governor Dinwiddie to raise a force in Virginia, and the order was
received with great enthusiasm. Washington was appointed to push
recruiting, with headquarters at Alexandria. New York and South Carolina
pledged two independent companies.
Washington anticipated a rush of volunteers when the governor sent out
his call for troops, but the small pay offered did not induce the
stalwart yeomanry, and other reliable classes, to relinquish their
honorable occupations at home for the hunger and hardships of war. The
result was, that a very unreliable class offered to enlist. One writer
says:
"There gathered about him a rabble of ragamuffins and worthless fellows,
who had spent their lives in tramping up and down the country, without
settled homes or occupations. Some were without hats and shoes; some had
coats and no shirts, some had shirts and no coats; and all were without
arms, or any keen desire to use them if they had them. All this
disgusted and disheartened our youthful colonel not a little, for he was
young, and had yet to learn that it is of just such stuff that the
beginnings of armies are always made."
Washington wrote to Governor Dinwiddie in a very desponding tone,
complaining of the want of patriotism in the Colony. Immediately the
governor came to his relief by issuing a proclamation, in which he said:
"Two hundred thousand acres of the very best land on the head-water of
the Ohio will be appropriated, and divided among those who enlist and
serve during the war."
The effect of this order was good, and soon one company was raised and
sent forward, under Captain Trent, to occupy the junction of the
Monongahela and Alleghany Rivers, and there erect a fort, before the
French could possess it. This was the spot which Washington recommended
to Governor Dinwiddie as an admirable location for a fort.
When the work of recruiting was completed, the governor offered the
command of the whole force to Washington, although Colonel Fry was
entitled to it by right of seniority. Such was Washington's popularity,
that Governor Dinwiddie knew the people would hail the appointment with
unfeigned satisfaction. But Washington, with his usual modest estimate
of himself, said to a friend:
"I cannot take the responsibility; I am not equal to it."
"That is not for you to say," urged his friend. "The people believe that
you are just the man for the place, and will not be satisfied unless you
take command."
"The command belongs to Colonel Fry, whose competency no one disputes,
and whose age is certainly a qualification in his favor," answered
Washington.
"All that may be true; it probably is true; nevertheless, the governor
understands what the popular demand is, and has acted accordingly," his
friend retorted. "My advice is, accept the position, and bury your
modesty."
"It is not modesty," protested Washington. "I have too much love for my
country to do anything to prejudice her interests."
On declining to assume the chief command, Washington wrote to Colonel
Corbin, who desired that he should accept, as follows:
"The command of the whole forces is what I neither look for, expect, or
desire, for I must be impartial enough to confess it is a charge too
great for my youth and inexperience to be intrusted with. Knowing this,
I have too sincere a love for my country to undertake that which may
tend to the prejudice of it. But, if I could entertain hopes that you
thought me worthy of the post of lieutenant-colonel, and would favor me
so far as to mention it at the appointment of officers, I could not but
entertain a true sense of the kindness. I flatter myself that, under a
skilful commander or man of sense (which I most sincerely wish to serve
under), with my own application and diligent study of my duty, I shall
be able to conduct my steps without censure, and, in time, render myself
worthy of the promotion that I shall be favored with now."
Colonel Joshua Fry was appointed to the chief command, and Washington
was made lieutenant-colonel.
While Washington was attending to his duties at Alexandria, an incident
occurred which illustrates the strength of his moral character. There
was an election for members of the House of Burgesses, and the two
opposing candidates in that district were Colonel George Fairfax and a
Mr. Elzey.
"I am well acquainted with Colonel Fairfax," remarked Washington to the
bystanders, "and I know him to be abundantly qualified for the position.
He is able, and a true patriot."
"As much can be said of Mr. Elzey, and perhaps more," replied a man by
the name of Payne, a great friend and admirer of the latter gentleman.
"His experience qualifies him for the office beyond most men in the
district."
Here Washington remarked, somewhat sarcastically, that character, after
all, in such times, was the highest qualification, a remark that was
readily construed into an insinuation that Payne's candidate did not
possess it, whereupon Payne struck him so violently with a stick as to
knock him down.
A scene followed. Washington's friends sprang forward to his rescue, but
he was on his feet before their help reached him. They turned upon his
assailant.
"What do you mean, you dastard?" exclaimed one.
"Take him into custody"! shouted another.
"Knock him down!" bawled a third.
"No, gentlemen," interrupted Washington, just in season to prevent a
collision, "do not touch the man. Perhaps he was not altogether to
blame. My remark was hasty. Let us have no more trouble."
The officers and others present were nearly as much surprised by
Washington's intercession for his assailant as they were by the latter's
heartless blow, and they stood speechless. The young commander remained
until the excitement ceased, when he repaired to his lodgings at the
hotel, where he immediately wrote a note to Mr. Payne, asking him to
call in the morning.
Anticipating a challenge to a duel, Payne armed himself with a pistol in
the morning before making the call. To his surprise, Washington met him
at the door with an apology.
"I ask your pardon for an offence given in an unguarded moment," he
said, grasping his hand.
Payne was thoroughly embarrassed by this reception, and he was so filled
with admiration by the magnanimity of the act, that he became one of
Washington's warmest friends. Their mutual friendship lasted as long as
they lived.
Mr. McGuire very properly says of this deed:
"How noble and becoming was this conduct! It was especially admirable in
a youthful soldier, whose very profession exposed him to peculiar
temptations on such an occasion. How many would have been driven, by the
fear of reproach and dread of unfavorable insinuations, to incur the
hazards of a duel, thus offering up at the shrine of honor the costly
sacrifice of human life. It was not possible that a man like Washington,
so endowed with moral courage and regard for virtue, should be moved by
the fear of man to such a course. He dreaded not the charge of cowardice
from the mouths of fools. In his own bosom he had its ample refutation.
He was conscious of a fortitude which no dangers could shake. To
display it in murdering a fellow-citizen was not his ambition. He had
before him the tented field and the enemies of his country, and he was
pledged for the hazards of a mortal conflict in her defence. Here he was
willing to show his courage and lay down his life. He would not do so to
gratify revenge, or win applause from the vain."
When Washington had recruited two more companies of fifty men each, he
applied to Governor Dinwiddie for permission to advance for the better
protection of the frontier. Having procured the order from the governor,
he marched out of camp, equipped not only with arms, but also with
implements of labor for constructing a road over which supplies and
cannon might be readily transported. This was a great undertaking, since
there were giant trees to be felled, hills to be levelled, marshes to be
filled, rocks to be blasted, and bridges to be built. So great a work
was this, that the little army was fourteen days going thirteen miles.
They reached Will's Creek on the 24th of April, 1754, where Washington
unexpectedly met Captain Trent.
"What are you doing here, captain," said Washington, somewhat surprised
at seeing him.
"Recruiting my command," answered Trent. "I need more men to construct
the fort."
"That is certain, and we need more men everywhere," responded
Washington. "It is fearfully hard work to prosecute such a campaign with
so few men. But how are you succeeding?"
"As well as could be expected under the circumstances. I am thankful for
the smallest number of recruits, for forty men to construct and garrison
a fort at the forks of the Ohio is altogether too small a force."
While discussing this matter, Ensign Ward entered the camp, and
surprised both Washington and Trent by saying:
"The garrison at the fort have surrendered to the French."
Captain Trent left Ensign Ward in command of his force at the forks,
while he was recruiting at Will's Creek.
"How can that be?" exclaimed Trent, surprised beyond measure.
"On the 17th," the ensign explained, "we were surprised by the
appearance of the French fleet in the river, under the command of
Captain Contrecoeur, consisting of three hundred canoes and sixty
batteaux, carrying a thousand men and eighteen cannon."
"To take possession of the forks and erect a fort for their own
defence," interjected Washington, who had called the attention of
Governor Dinwiddie to the probability of such an event.
"Yes, that was what they came for," replied Ward; "and they were glad to
see one so far under way, no doubt, as it would lighten their labors."
"Did they make an attack?" inquired Washington.
"Captain Contrecoeur planted his cannon to sweep the fort, drew up his
men in readiness for an attack, and then sent a demand to the English to
surrender in one hour, or he would open fire."
"Under the circumstances you could not object with much resolution,"
remarked Washington.
"I didn't, but surrendered without parleying," replied Ward; "and we
were allowed to march out bearing our arms and all our tools."
"This is a declaration of war," remarked Washington, "and we must govern
ourselves accordingly."
He called his officers together for consultation, and said to them:
"The French have now invaded the frontier of the Colony, and as I
construe my instructions from the government, it is my duty to march
forward to meet the invaders."
"Without reinforcements from Colonel Fry?" anxiously inquired one of his
officers.
"No. We can march to the mouth of Red Stone Creek, which is thirty-seven
miles above the fort captured by the French, there throw up defences,
and await the arrival of reinforcements."
A messenger was posted away to Colonel Fry, while the army took up the
line of march to Red Stone Creek, where it hastily intrenched and
awaited reinforcements.
About the 1st of May, Captain Stevens arrived with his company of fifty
men. Colonel Fry remained at his post to complete arrangements and bring
up supplies; but he suddenly died, so that Washington was forced to act
as commander-in-chief.
With his little army increased to one hundred and fifty men, Washington
proceeded to Great Meadows, making a road suitable for transporting
supplies as he advanced, and reaching his destination on the 27th of
May. They had but just encamped when Mr. Gist arrived.
"I have seen the trail of a party within five miles of you, which I am
sure were French," he said to Washington, under evident excitement.
"I am not surprised at that announcement," replied Washington. "War is
inevitable, and we must accept the issue. We must look after these
French."
"Or they will look after _us_," retorted Gist. "The French mean
business; there can be no doubt of that. Unless we mean business it
is all up with us."
"I will pursue them at once," continued Washington; and he took forty
men, leaving the remainder of his force to work on the intrenchments.
Half-king, with a few Indians, joined him, and when it was supposed they
were in the vicinity of the French party, two Indian scouts were sent
forward, who discovered their camp two miles distant. It was in the dawn
of the morning, and they had traveled all night through the driving
storm and darkness, and, of course, were poorly prepared for battle. But
Washington determined upon an attack immediately. Arranging his own men
on the right and the Indians on the left, he advanced rapidly upon the
enemy. The latter were taken unawares, but they sprang to their arms and
opened fire on catching sight of the English. A brief, sharp, bloody
encounter ensued, when the French surrendered, having lost ten men
killed and one wounded. Twenty-one were taken prisoners. Washington's
loss was one man killed and two or three wounded.
Among the slain Frenchmen was their popular commander, Captain
Jumonville. The twenty-one prisoners were sent, under a strong guard, to
Governor Dinwiddie, with a plea from Washington that they should be
treated with humanity. He withstood Tanacharisson and his redskins, who
wanted to slay every one of the prisoners, and rebuked their revengeful
spirit.
"The French army at the forks will avenge the death of Jumonville," said
Washington to Gist, "and the whole force will march against us."
"They will if they are like the rest of mankind," responded Gist, "and
that, too, without waiting for ceremony."
"We will be prepared for them," added Washington. "It will never do for
an army to be caught napping, especially a little one like mine."
"But you will fight against great odds," suggested Gist; "the French
have every advantage in men and means."
"True, very true, but we must make our fortifications strong at the
Meadows, and do the best we can."
This little conquering squad of English rejoined the army at the
Meadows, and proceeded at once to make their fort impregnable. Here
Washington soon received additional reinforcements, swelling his army to
four hundred soldiers. Among them was a company of one hundred men from
North Carolina, under Captain Mackey. The latter officer made some
trouble for Washington by claiming superiority of rank, because his
commission was from the King of England, while Washington's was from a
provincial governor only. However, this difficulty was soon adjusted
through Washington's tact and magnanimity.
The army was short of provisions at this time, supplies not having been
sent forward as Washington expected. His men were very much tried, and
many of them were exasperated. Adding hunger and needless suffering to
their pittance of pay was quite enough to demoralize the rank and file.
Washington could not blame them much, in the circumstances, although the
discontent added to his trials. He wrote to Governor Dinwiddie in his
troubles, as follows:
"Giving up my commission is quite contrary to my intentions. Nay, I ask
it as a greater favor than any amongst the many I have received from
your honor, to confirm it to me. But let me serve voluntarily; then I
will, with the greatest pleasure in life, devote my services to the
expedition, without any other reward than the satisfaction of serving my
country; but to be slaving dangerously for the shadow of pay, through
woods, rocks, and mountains, I would rather prefer the great toil of a
day laborer, and dig for a maintenance, provided I were reduced to the
necessity, than serve upon such ignoble terms.... I hope what I have
said will not be taken amiss, for I really believe, were it as much in
your power as it is in your inclination, we should be treated as
gentlemen and officers, and not have annexed to the most trifling pay
that ever was given to English officers the glorious allowance of
soldier's diet, a pound of pork, with bread in proportion, per day. Be
the consequence what it will, I am determined not to leave the regiment,
but to be among the last men to quit the Ohio."
Washington preferred to serve his country without pay rather than have
the reputation of being paid when receiving but a pittance, and half
starved into the bargain. His appeal was a sincere and earnest one for
his soldiers.
As on former occasions, Washington was his own chaplain. Twice a day his
little army were called to prayers in the fort, which he himself
conducted. On the Sabbath only works of necessity were performed, and he
conducted religious services. Sometimes his brief remarks, called forth
by the condition of his army, deeply impressed his listeners, who knew
that they were honest words from a true heart.
He was exceedingly annoyed by the profanity and wickedness of his men,
and at one time he issued the following order:
"Colonel Washington has observed that the men of his regiment are very
profane and reprobate. He takes this opportunity to inform them of his
great displeasure at such practices, and assures them that, if they do
not leave them off, they shall be severely punished. The officers are
desired, if they hear any men swear or make use of an oath or
execration, to order the offender twenty-five lashes immediately,
without a court-martial. For a second offence he shall be more severely
punished."
As the French army did not make its appearance after waiting many days
for it, Washington resolved to march upon Fort Duquesne, as the French
had named their stronghold at the forks in honor of the governor of
Canada.
Leaving Captain Mackey with his company to garrison the fort, Washington
advanced towards the forks. But he had marched only thirteen miles when
he met several friendly Indians, one of whom said:
"The French are on the march against you."
"How far away?" inquired Washington.
"A few miles only."
"In large force?"
"Eight hundred Frenchmen and four hundred Indians."
"I can hardly credit that they are coming with so large a force,"
replied Washington. "That is a formidable army for my small army to
fight."
The Indians convinced him that it was even so, whereupon he called a
council of war, when it was unanimously decided to retreat to their base
of supplies. After two days of wearisome marching, on the retreat, they
reached the fort at the Great Meadows. Here many of the men and horses
were so exhausted and weak for the want of food that Washington decided
to make a stand there. He was forced to stop there, and so he named the
stockade "Fort Necessity."
The able-bodied soldiers were set to work digging a trench around the
fortifications, and felling large trees to obstruct the march of the
enemy upon their works. But their labors were far from being completed
when, on the morning of July 3, a wounded sentinel came rushing into
camp and shouting, "The enemy is upon us! The French army is here!"
The drum beat the soldiers into line quickly, outside of their
fortifications, though subsequently they were withdrawn into the fort.
About eleven o'clock the enemy opened a heavy fire upon the fort, which
was returned with spirit.
"Waste no powder; fire at discretion; and where-ever you discover a
head, pick it off," were Washington's instructions to his men.
The battle raged all day until eight o'clock in the evening, when the
French commander, Monsieur De Villiers, sent a flag of truce. Supposing
it was a scheme to get a spy within the fort to discover its strength,
Washington declined to receive it. But De Villiers, evidently thinking
the English force was much larger than it actually was, persisted in his
application for a parley. He asked that an English officer be sent to
him, promising him absolute safety.
Washington sent Van Braam, who returned in a short time with articles of
capitulation for him to sign, and he was accompanied by De Villiers
himself.
Washington declined to sign them until they were amended to suit his
wishes. About midnight the articles were signed, and the fort
surrendered.
On the morning of July 4, 1754, the little army marched out of the fort,
with banners flying and the band playing, carrying their arms with them,
so that there was no degradation in the surrender. As the French had
killed all of Washington's horses and cattle, he could not take away his
cannon and heavy baggage; so it was stipulated that these should be
protected until he could send for them.
In this his first battle, Washington lost fifty-eight men, while the
French lost two hundred in killed and wounded.