received with distinguished honors. The governor tendered him hearty
thanks in behalf of the government; and the House of Burgesses, which
soon assembled, unanimously adopted a vote of thanks "for their bravery,
and the gallant manner in which they had conducted themselves in the
defence of the country." A resolution was passed, also, granting an
appropriation of four hundred pistoles to be distributed among the
soldiers who had aided in the expedition. In addition, the assembly made
an appropriation of ten thousand dollars, in October following, for the
public service; and soon afterwards the English government forwarded
fifty thousand dollars for the same purpose.
The defeat of Washington did not appear to modify the public confidence
in him. The people knew full well the great odds against which he
contended, and judged him accordingly. That he should defend Fort
Necessity so long and so successfully, when fatigue and hunger were
creating discontent, was proof to them of skill and courage; and that he
should secure terms of capitulation so honorable, appeared to them a
reason of praise rather than censure.
French historians have censured Washington for the death of Jumonville,
denominating the attack upon his small party "assassination." They claim
that he was sent upon an embassy, of which there is not a shadow of
proof. On the other hand, there is positive evidence that Jumonville was
conducting a reconnoitering party, to ascertain the position and
strength of the English.
Washington's report to Governor Dinwiddie, and the latter's letter to
Lord Albemarle, establish the facts in the case beyond contradiction.
For this reason we introduce them here:
"I set out with forty men before ten, and it was from that time till
near sunrise before we reached the Indians' camp, having marched in
small paths, through a heavy rain, and a night as dark as it is possible
to conceive. We were frequently tumbling over one another, and often so
lost that fifteen or twenty minutes' search would not find the path
again.
"When we came to the half-king, I counselled with him, and got his
assent to go hand in hand and strike the French. Accordingly he,
Monacawacha, and a few other Indians, set out with us; and when we came
to the place where the troops were, the half-king sent two Indians to
follow the tracks and discover their lodgment, which they did, at a very
obscure place, surrounded with rocks. I, thereupon, in conjunction with
the half-king and Monacawacha, formed a disposition to attack them on
all sides, which we accordingly did; and, after an engagement of fifteen
minutes, we killed ten, wounded one, and took twenty-one prisoners.
Amongst those killed was Monsieur Jumonville, the commander. The
principal officers taken are Monsieur Drouillon, and Monsieur La Force,
of whom your Honor has often heard me speak as a bold, enterprising man,
and a person of great subtlety and cunning. These officers pretend that
they were coming on an embassy; but the absurdity of this pretext is too
glaring, as you will see by the instructions and summons enclosed. Their
instructions were to reconnoiter the country, roads, creeks, and the
like, as far as the Potomac, which they were about to do. These
enterprising men were purposely chosen out to procure intelligence,
which they were to send back by some brisk despatches, _with the mention
of the day that they were to serve the summons_, which could be with no
other view than to get reinforcements to fall upon us immediately
after."
Governor Dinwiddie wrote to Lord Albemarle as follows:
"The prisoners said they were come as an embassy from the fort: but your
lordship knows that ambassadors do not come with such an armed force
without a trumpet or any other sign of friendship; nor can it be thought
that they were on an embassy, by their staying so long reconnoitering
our small camp, but more probably that they expected a reinforcement to
cut us off."
XII.
ON GENERAL BRADDOCK'S STAFF.
With the quite liberal provisions now made for the public service,
Governor Dinwiddie resolved to increase the army to ten companies of one
hundred men each, and capture Fort Duquesne at once. He sent for
Washington, now twenty-two years of age, and laid his plan before him.
"It will prove disastrous," was Washington's prompt answer, to the
surprise of the governor.
"You surprise me!" rejoined the governor. "With a thousand men I thought
the fort could easily be captured."
"But you do not take into account the time required to drill the army
and march to the fort," answered Washington. "Winter will be upon us
before we are ready to besiege the fort."
"I hardly see the need of consuming as much time as you indicate in
preparation," suggested the governor.
"You would understand it if you had had the experience with a
half-drilled army through one campaign, as I have had," replied
Washington.
"But your force was a very small one," suggested Governor Dinwiddie.
"With two or three times as many men you will be able to reduce the fort
without the drill."
"My experience rather teaches me that the larger the army the more
necessary the drill, in order to handle it efficiently," Washington
replied.
"Then you are opposed to such a campaign now, under any circumstances,
if I understand you," continued the governor.
"My judgment decides against the practicability of such an expedition;
nevertheless, I am at your service. My duty is to obey." This was
Washington's sincere reply.
Governor Dinwiddie was a conceited man, jealous of his own authority,
and he did not like to be opposed by such a stripling as Colonel
Washington, much less was he willing to abandon a project of his own by
the advice of an inferior officer. For this reason he adhered to his
original plan, and instructed Washington to fill up his regiment to a
thousand as soon as possible. With what feelings Washington undertook
this task may be learned from his letter to William Fairfax, Esq.,
president of Governor Dinwiddie's council:
"I have orders to complete my regiment, and not a sixpence is sent for
that purpose. Can it be imagined that subjects fit for this service, who
have been so much impressed with and alarmed at the want of provisions,
which was a main objection to enlisting before, will more readily engage
now, without money, than they did before with it?... To show you the
state of the regiment, I have sent you a report, by which you will
perceive what great deficiencies there are of men, arms, tents, kettles,
screws (which was a fatal want before), bayonets, cartouch-boxes, and
everything else. Again, were our men ever so willing to go, for want of
the proper necessaries of life they are now unable to do it. The chief
part are almost naked, and scarcely a man has either _shoes, stockings,
or a hat_. These things the merchants will not credit them for. The
country has made no provision. They have no money themselves, and it
cannot be expected that the officers will engage for them again,
personally having suffered greatly on this head already.... There is not
a man that has a blanket to secure him from cold or wet."
That the conceited provincial governor was bent upon having his own way
is evident from the fact that he wrote privately to England, and secured
the passage of an act that made provincial officers of the army inferior
to the English officers in rank. Under this act, Washington's rank would
be that of captain instead of colonel.
"Of course I shall not serve longer in the army under such an
arrangement," said Washington to Mr. Fairfax. "Not that I covet higher
rank, but self-respect requires me to throw up my commission."
"For one, I can never blame you," replied Fairfax. "The animus of the
thing is suited to discourage every soldier in the colony. If England
expects the Colonies to fight her battles under such an arrangement, she
will be greatly disappointed."
"So I think," answered Washington; "and if I do not mistake the temper
of the colonists, they will never submit to such injustice; never. It is
but the most reasonable thing that provincial troops should be placed
upon the same footing as the king's. They should be as liberally
provided for, and enjoy the opportunities of promotion equally with the
others."
"Unless they do, England cannot long claim colonies in North America,"
added Fairfax.
As indicated by the foregoing, Washington returned his commission, and
other officers did the same. The measure which Governor Dinwiddie
adopted to bring Washington to terms, and put the army more directly
under his own control, suddenly upset his authority. Instead of marching
upon Fort Duquesne at once, a speedy abandonment of the enterprise was
forced upon him. He could snub Washington, but he could not compel him
to recruit and lead the army. Washington retired to private life at
Mount Vernon.
Governor Dinwiddie was never in such trouble before. Fort Duquesne
haunted him in his sleep. The stripling of a colonel had outwitted his
Excellency. What could he do?
The British Government advised a confederacy of the Colonies, believing
that "in union there is strength." Accordingly, a delegate convention
was called at Albany, "to form a league with the Six Nations of Indians,
and to concert among themselves a plan of united operations for defence
against the common enemy." The New England States, New York,
Pennsylvania, and Maryland accepted the proposition, and sent delegates
to the convention. A league was formed with the Six Nations, but the
convention could not agree upon a plan of common defence acceptable both
to the colonies and the British Government. Benjamin Franklin was a
member of the convention from Pennsylvania, holding the position of
postmaster-general under the king at the time and he presented a plan
that was accepted by all the delegates except those from Connecticut.
For the want of complete union, the project was abandoned, and the
British ministry took the conduct of the war into their own hands. They
promptly adopted measures to force the French Government to retire from
their advanced position in America.
In January, 1755, General Braddock was sent from Ireland, with two
regiments of infantry, well equipped and well drilled. Their arrival
aroused the depressed Colonists to enthusiasm. They forgot the troubles
that had divided them, and united to expel the French from the country.
General Braddock reported to Governor Dinwiddie at Williamsburg, and
laid before him his plans of operation. As the fame of the youthful
Washington had reached him in the old country, his thoughts were very
naturally directed to him in this interview.
"Where is Colonel Washington," he inquired. "I long to see him."
"He is retired from the service, sir," replied the governor.
"Retired?" exclaimed General Braddock. "Colonel Washington retired?
Pray, sir, what is the reason?"
"He was displeased with the king's order reducing the rank of provincial
officers," answered the governor. And he proceeded to explain the matter
in full, without exposing his own agency in the matter. General Braddock
heard him through, when he retorted with indignation:
"Colonel Washington is right. It is a shame for the government to issue
such an order, and as unjust as it is shameful."
"But your disciplined troops are far more valuable than an undisciplined
force like ours," suggested the governor.
"Granted," answered General Braddock; "and so much more credit to
Colonel Washington, who handled undisciplined troops so well. He must be
a brave and efficient officer."
"He is," responded Governor Dinwiddie; "no one disputes that."
"Then he ought to have the chance for promotion that the king's officers
do," interrupted the general. "I don't like such partiality. Colonel
Washington must be brought back into service."
"I should be glad to see him in active service again, and nothing would
please our people more," rejoined the governor. "He is an idol with the
Colonists, he has proved himself so loyal, brave, and efficient."
"Well, where is he? I must see him," continued General Braddock.
He was told that he was on his farm at Mount Vernon.
"Then he must leave his farm for the service of his country, as
Cincinnatus did," interjected Braddock.
General Braddock addressed a letter to him, soliciting an interview, and
appealing to him strongly to give his able services to the "common
cause." He urged him to join his army, and offered him an honorable
position upon his staff.
Washington was too much of a patriot to allow his personal grievance to
interfere with the defence of his country in these circumstances, and he
waited upon General Braddock at Alexandria, and accepted the position.
However, he wrote to a friend that it was not altogether patriotism that
determined his decision.
"I must be ingenuous enough to confess," he wrote, "that I am not a
little biassed by selfish considerations. To explain: I wish earnestly
to attain some knowledge in the military profession, and, believing a
more favorable opportunity cannot offer than to serve under an officer
of General Braddock's abilities and experience, it does, you may
reasonably suppose, contribute not a little to influence my choice."
As soon as possible after the arrival of General Braddock, Governor
Dinwiddie called a conference of the governors of five Colonies to
discuss war measures. The result of the conference was the plan of
undertaking three expeditions. "The first of these was to be conducted
by Braddock, with the British troops, against Fort Duquesne; the second,
under the command of Governor Shirley of Maryland, now honored with the
commission of general from the king, was intended for the reduction of
the French fort of Niagara, and was composed of American regulars and
Indians; the third was an expedition against Crown Point, to be
undertaken by a regiment of militia."
As soon as Washington's mother learned that her son had decided to join
Braddock's army, she hastened to Mount Vernon in great distress.
"I hoped you had quit war forever, George," she said, "and would be
content to look after your farm and mother, without exposing yourself to
death any more."
"A man must be loyal to his country, mother," replied Washington. "He is
not much of a man if he is not willing to risk his life for his
country."
"I will not dispute you, George, on that point," continued his mother;
"but somehow I had got it into my mind that you were through with war,
and I was glad of it. I suppose that a mother's love had more to do with
it than patriotism."
"But you believe in patriotism?" added Washington.
"Of course I do."
"But do not want your son to be patriotic," he quickly added, knowing
exactly what course to pursue in order to secure his mother's approval.
"Not so, George," Mrs. Washington answered. "I honor patriotism, and if
it is _necessary_ for you to join the army again, I am willing. As I
said, a mother's love got the better of me for the moment."
"It does seem necessary for me to go, mother, in the circumstances,"
added Washington. "As I am situated the refusal might be easily
construed into a lack of patriotism. This is a critical time for the
Colonies, when loyalty and patriotism alone can sustain their cause."
"You are right, my son, and I will heartily withdraw my objections,"
responded Mrs. Washington, touched by her son's devotion to his country.
"My prayers are all that I can give to my country, and these it shall
have. That God may protect you through all the dangers and hardships of
war, and return you in safety, will be my constant prayer. With His
blessing you can be a useful man in war, as in peace, and without it you
can expect nothing."
Thus, as before, Washington entered upon the campaign with his mother's
pious benediction. On the 9th of June he left Alexandria with Braddock's
army, recruited to nearly three thousand men. Virginia raised three
companies of her best marksmen, who joined the British troops. When the
march began, and Washington took in the grand military display, every
soldier well clad and equipped, instead of being ragged and poorly
armed, he said, "This is the grandest spectacle I ever beheld."
As another has said, "Not the shabby, discouraging, inglorious war of
men without hats and shoes, kettles and bayonets, but the military array
of a young officer's brightest dreams: a host in gallant uniforms, with
nodding plumes, the clang of inspiring music, and the dazzling splendor
of banners flaunting in the sun. Victory was a thing of course. The want
of proper equipment had occasioned defeat and mortification. The
presence of everything that a soldier's heart could wish or his fancy
devise was sure to bring triumph that would extinguish all memory of
former failure."
General Braddock was an experienced officer, but he knew nothing of
Indian warfare. Evidently he regarded the French as his chief
antagonists, and supposed that an easy victory could be won. His
conversation with Benjamin Franklin, who visited him, as
postmaster-general, to make arrangements for the transmission of the
mails to and from the army, reveals much of the general's character.
"Not a long campaign, I think," he remarked to Franklin.
"Nevertheless a hard one," answered Franklin. "In such a country as
this, campaigning is attended with serious difficulties."
"But difficulties lessen before experienced officers and soldiers,"
responded Braddock.
"Can you give me any idea of your intended progress?" inquired Franklin,
for the purpose of drawing him out, and learning what were his real
ideas of the country.
"After taking Fort Duquesne," Braddock replied, "I am to proceed to
Niagara; and, having taken that, to Frontenac, if the season will allow,
and I suppose it will, for Duquesne can hardly detain me above three or
four days; and then I can see nothing to obstruct my march to Niagara."
"I supposed that it would require a longer time than that to reduce Fort
Duquesne," said Washington. "The French have had ample time to
strengthen their fortification."
"That may be, but I do not apprehend much difficulty in accomplishing my
object there," was the general's confident reply.
"To be sure, sir," continued Franklin, "if you arrive well before
Duquesne with these fine troops, so well provided with artillery,
the fort, though completely fortified and assisted with a very strong
garrison, can probably make but a short resistance. The only danger I
apprehend of obstruction to your march is from the ambuscades of the
Indians, who, by constant practice, are dexterous in laying and
executing them; and your slender line of troops, nearly four miles long,
which your army must make, may expose it to be attacked by surprise on
its flanks, and to be cut like thread into several pieces, which, from
their distance, cannot come up in time to support one another."
General Braddock smiled at what he thought was Franklin's ignorance, and
answered in a self-assuring manner:
"These savages may, indeed, be a formidable enemy to raw American
militia; but upon the king's regular and disciplined troops, sir, it is
impossible they should make an impression."
In describing this interview afterwards, Franklin said sarcastically:
"I was conscious of an impropriety in my disputing with a military man
in matters of his profession and said no more."
Washington was so ill after the army reached the great crossings of the
Youghiogeny, that Dr. Craik advised him to stop until he rallied. He had
been feverish for several days, and for that reason had ridden in a
covered wagon.
"Death is almost inevitable if you continue," said Dr. Craik. "Stop here
until the violence of your fever abates, and then you can come up with
Dunbar's rear division."
"I think you are unnecessarily alarmed, doctor," answered Washington.
"In a few days I shall be all right. It will be a great trial to me to
stop here and not advance with the army."
"It may prove a greater trial for you to advance," suggested Dr. Craik.
"Rest and quiet may restore you speedily now, but it may be too late
three days hence."
General Braddock also appealed to him.
"You are altogether too unwell to proceed, Colonel Washington," he said,
"and you must not attempt it."
"But I would not miss being with you at the attack upon Fort Duquesne
for five hundred pounds," replied Washington.
"And you will not if you stop here until you are better; but if you go
on, you may be dead and buried by that time, or too sick to participate
in the battle," was the general's wise answer.
"I will stop here if you will promise that I shall rejoin the army
before an engagement," added Washington.
"I pledge you my word of honor, in the most solemn manner, that it shall
be effected."
Washington remained, soon rallied, and rejoined the army when it was
encamped about two miles from the Monongahela River.
Washington had feared disaster, as Franklin did, from Braddock's
ignorance of Indian warfare.
"Let me reconnoitre in advance with the three companies of Virginia
marksmen," he proposed. "We understand the tactics of the savages, and
can fight them in their own way."
"Allow me to suggest, young man, that the savages will be of little
account before my regulars," was Braddock's haughty answer, evidently
thinking that his youthful aid-de-camp was too officious.
"The best disciplined troops are not competent to fight Indians in the
Indian way if they have had no experience with savages," persisted
Washington. "The order of battle and the usual rules and tactics of war
are of no account here."
"That may be your opinion and experience," replied the general, "but you
have not had the king's efficient troops here before. That makes all the
difference in the world."
"Nevertheless," added Washington, "defeat awaits us unless we are
prepared to meet Indians with their own tactics."
Before the army took up its line of march from Alexandria, Washington
advised General Braddock not to wait for any wagons to be provided.
Braddock had been disappointed in getting a supply of these; and when
Dr. Franklin visited him, he bargained with him to purchase in
Pennsylvania, and forward at once, a sufficient number of them, with
four horses to each wagon.
"Army wagons will be a burden to us instead of a help, much of the way,"
said Washington. "The road is narrow and rough, and pack-horses will
prove better than wagons."
But these suggestions were unheeded by the haughty British officer, who
insisted that his army should be provided for and move in the wilds of
America as in the cultivated countries of Europe. He had too much
official pride to allow himself to be instructed by a stripling in
Virginia.
General Braddock possessed a high temper, and he was excessively fond of
intoxicating drinks. With too much temper and too much drink to carry,
he often became an overbearing officer. Washington wrote as follows to
Mr. Fairfax at one time:
"The general, by frequent breaches of contract, has lost all patience,
and for want of that temperance and moderation which should be used by a
man of sense upon these occasions, will, I fear, represent us in a light
we little deserve; for, instead of blaming individuals, as he ought, he
charges all his disappointments to public supineness, and looks upon the
country, I believe, as void of honor and honesty. We have frequent
disputes on this head, which are maintained with warmth on both sides,
especially on his, who is incapable of arguing with or giving up any
point he asserts, let it be ever so incompatible with reason or common
sense."
It should be recorded in his favor that General Braddock was a strict
disciplinarian in the army. Each regiment was provided with a chaplain,
and every soldier was required to attend prayers each day, and on Sunday
be present at divine services. He refused to tolerate some practices
among his men which are common in armies. The most vicious class of
soldiers indulged in a wholesome fear of him.
After Braddock's army crossed the Monongahela, and were within ten miles
of Duquesne, and no sign nor sound of an enemy was seen or heard,
Washington grew anxious, and he said:
"General, this silence so near the fort in our country is rather ominous
than otherwise. A scouting party ought to go forward. We are liable to
find ourselves in an ambuscade of Indians at any moment."