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

gainst surprise, particularly as the In
dian nations were for the most part IN
alliance with France. Having advance
ed with the most fearless security to
less than ten miles Of fort Du Quesne
and without condecending, though ear.
nestly p essed, to employ the irregu-
lars IN the service as an advanced
guard, or to send out any parties 10
reconnoitre the country, about noon OH
the ninth oil July, in march through a
painless swamp, entangied amid brakes
| md rusheS, he was on the sudden sd
iuted with the horrid sound of the In
dian war whoop, accompanied by a
general lire both on his front and flank
from concealed and invisible ent my.
The vanguard Immediately fell back,
and terror and confusion soon spread
throughout all the ranks OF the army
The general, far from making any eli
forts TO discover and dispense this dan
| gerous ambuscade, exerted himso II
only To reform and rally his troops, as
II engaged with regular army in al.
open plain But the exactest disci.
pine was, in this situation, of little
vail though no enemy appeared, the
hevoc and slaughter sill continued
and the general himself being at lengtii
KILLED ny a .musket shot, the regular
troops He'd the field with the utmos
prcciptaufn he provincisis, SO muc h
disposed, forming i'll the rear, and CO
ve'ibg their retreat; major Washing
TOM their commander, acquiring on
this occasion amicst ruin and defeat,
he honors and lsutels OF victory. All
he artillery ammunition baggage
of the army were left in The hands ct
the enemy, and even the generals owb
cabinet, with all his letters and instruc-
lions"
BtSSetf, in his continuation, >ol. | p
rs, co seq says
But the most important object OF
the campaign was, 20 drive the Ere acb
from their posts on and near the Ohio.
The strongest fort for securing their
settlement was Dr Q1esne. agains,
which an x;edition was protected, TO
consist OF 6t:,ish and provincial troops,
under general Braddock. This com
nander arrived in Virginia with two
regiments in the month of FeSruary
When he was ready to take the ftld
he found that the contractors had bro
Vided neither a sufficient quantity of
provisions forthe ill.,; ut troops, nor the
requisite number OF carriages for the
deficiency as however, might have
been foreseen, proper enquiries had
been made Into the state of that plan
tatiun. The Virginians, attending liz
tie 10 any produce bu, tobacco, did NOT
raise corn enough for their own subsis
tence and being most commodiously
situated Tor water carriage. they had
very few vehicles of any other kind
Pennsylvania on the other hand, abound
ed In corn, in carts, Wagons and
horses; that, therefore, would have
been The Fl er colony for FORWARDING
military operations. Besides, il wound
have afforded shorter route, by equal
+! ~ practicable roads to The destined
place The choice of Virginia cpnsi.
derabIy delayed the expedition. From,
Pennsylvania the commander was a,
length supplied, and enabled to march
but fatal obstacle to success still
remained In the character of the gene
raj Braddock bred in the English
guards was well Versed in evolution i.
OF narrow understanding, though suf
ticlently experienced customary detail.
he never sscended to the principles of
military science Rigid in matters az
discipline, but fully as often for the
! display o! command as the perform
suce OF duty he was very unpopula,
mo. s the soldiers. Positive and SELF
coneeited in opinion, naughty and re
pulsIVe IN manners, he closed the ave
aes to Information. Brave and intro
pid he, with his confined abilities
night have been fit for subordina,.
alton. but evidently nad not the pow
err, essential to the general, of com
mandlng an ascendency oyes the mind.
It men. The creature of custos, ana
authority, he despised all kinds of tac
.lcs and warfare that he had not ser.
| praclised He did not consider tha
he same species of contest NAV no
suit the plains of Flanders and the
Businesses OF America. The duke of
| Cumberland had written his Instruc.
lions with his own hand, and both H.
word and writing caulionC d him s;rore
" against ambuscade The self con
cit OF his contracted mind suffered him
neither to regard the counsels, nor 20
consult any under his commend res
pecting American warfare. Tbs In
4 dams, if we'll 6ispoaed ,yn,tJ r.