The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1816-06-26


his forces to form in regular order, as
II they had been advancing against al
enemy in an open country. His sol
diers, perceiying them led into an am
buscade, were seized with panic aDn
thrown into confusion which was il
ereasedby the fall oil most OF their offi-
GERS, at whom the dextrous IndIan
marksman had Chiefly aimed The ge-
neral fought valiantiy but receiving .
shot was carried offthe field, < died in
a stew hours an awful instance, how lit
tie mere courage and forms of tactics,
without Judgment and prudence, can
avail commander in chief when he is
employed on an important seryic.
The provincial troops, advancing from
the rear' ard engaging the enemy, gave
ne regulars time TO recover their spi
rits and ranks, and preserved them
from totai distraction Notwithstand-
ing this supports more than half III,
| troops were Gu, 10 pieces. The re
mains OF the army made mastery re
treat to Virginia, under colonel Wash
ington, to whose skill and conduct il
was chiefly owing that they were no
overtakeD and destroyed but they
thus necessarily lief, the western from
tier exposed to the French and In
| dams"
Smollett, (after describing the cha,
racter and conduct of. general Brad
dock and the difficulties he had to en-.
counter by the selection of Virginia
Tor the commencement of his opera
IONS so nearly in the language OF Bis
sett as certainly to shaw that one of
these authors THE latter we believe is
the latest writer must have copied
hom the other)-says:
Un Ter these disadvantages IA total
dlsre gard of the advice of Others, and
the dispersion of his Indian aIlies1 he
beg IN his march from Fort Cumber-
land, on the 10th of June at the head
OF abont 2,2co men for the Meadows.
where colonel Washington was defeat
ed the year before Upon his arrival
there he was informed that the French
fort at Du QIesne, which had lately
been built ohahe same river, near its
confluence with the Mononeahela, ex
pecteS q reirforcement of FIVE hundred
troops therefore that he might m,rch
with the greatest despatch he LETT Dun
oar With 800 men, TO bring up the pro
visions stores and heavy baggage, as
last as the DatHrsJof the service would
permit; and with the other 1900 TO-
gether with 10 pieces of cannon, and
the necessary ammunition and provi
sions, he marched on with 50 much ex
petition that he seldom took any time
to reconnoiire the woods or lhickets he
was to pass through; as il the nearer
he approached the enemy, the farther
he was removed from danger.
4" On the 18th of july ne encamped
within ten miles of fort du Quesne
Though coh Dunbar was then near
forty miles behind him and his officer,
particularly sir Peter Hacket, earnestly
enIreated him to proceed with eau ZION.
and TO employ the friendly Indians
who were with him, by way of an ad
vanced guard, in case of ambuscades (.
yet he resumed his march the mex, dav
without so much as eDdeavoring to OBJ
tain any intelligence of the situation q,
disposition OF the enemy, or even send
Ing nut any scouts TO visit the woods
| and thickets on both sides of MIN. as
we'll asi in front. With this Careless.
ness was he advancing, when abou,
| noon, he was saIuIed with a general
fir' upon his front, and along his LEI,
Hack, from an enemy so artfully con.
cealed behind the trees and bushes.
that not man of them could be seen.
The vanguard immediately fell back
upon the main body, and in an ins,an,
me panic and confusion became gene.
raj; 50 that most of the troops BED with
great precipitation Notwithstanding all
hat their officers, some of whom be
haVed very gailantiy, could do to stop
Aeir career. AS to Braddock himself
instead of securing the thickets and
| 'usheS from whence the fire came. with
| grape shot from TIE ten pieces of can
non he had with him, or ordering flank
ing parties of his Indians to advance
gsInst The enemy, he obstinately re-
maIhed upon'the spot where he was,
nd gave orders for the few brave off
Gers and men who slaid with him, to
form regularly and advance Mean
white his men fell thick about him, and
almest all0is officers were singled out
one alter another, and killed or wound.
ed; for the Indianss who always axe
aim when they fire, and aim chiefly AZ
the officers, disunguishedthem by their
ress. At last the general whose
/ ,hati,,,r,, en,--. -