Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1823-11-11
Es.rac, from Colonel Wsshing.on,s

that he and several others fell on tha'
occasion, and the remainder of his me-,
made prisoners, in skirmisn with the
Indians and the Virginia regimen. -
How it happened that an even, of so
common occurrence in war should have
been so exlravagantly exaggerated, and
made a subject of a monstrous accuse
lion, | am at loss to conceive, unles,
we may suppose that being at first tolo
it was laid hold Of in France ss sub.
iect fitted to be theme for he enmity
at that time against England, and ne'ng
once, particularly in Vi Thomas Poem.
bearing tho name Of the unfortunate
young officer,l magnitied INTO COM
mon belief. it was never made the sub
jet of just inquiry, but occasionally
was recalled by hose, who are too apt
or willing TO believe those causes OF
violent national emotions which are not
the less supIcious because generally
credited. IL not such q superstition,
and such general arguments what all
nations should join to support, that they
may in return receive the same gene.
rous interpretation, in affairs, which
from their nature NAV always be tortu.
red mo cruel allegations.
Situated as we are here, these feel.
ings become doubly our duty, and | am
confident Of your admitting commu-
nicatiop dictated by this wish. NJ
"About eight IN the evening receiv
ed an express from the Half.KiDg, &C.
qusin,ing me that as he was coming to
Join us. they had discovered along the
roads the tracts of two men, who de-
sceDded into q dark bottom: that he
imagined the whole party was conceal
ed in the same place. That moment |
sent out party of forty men. [ or.
dered my stores to be hid, lest this
might be stratagem Of the French to
attack our camp. | left guard for
their defence: and with the remainder,
| SCI out myself in the midst OF very
heavy rain, the night being As dark as
pitch, and along path scarce large e.
nough for one man: we often went as.
nutes, before we could find out the road
again: and we often kno, ked our heads
,oge her WI. hout seein ca b other -
We con- inued our march he whole
night. and the 2Sth, about sunrise, we
arrived at the camp of the Indians
where sf'er we had held council with
the Half kIng we agreed TO strike to.
gefher. In Consequence of this, he sen
couple Of scouts TO see whereab bouts
they were, and IN what posture, anu 10
reconnoitre the neighborlng grounds.
After this we made our disposition ia
order TO surround them, and w began
our march the Ia an manner, one
after another. We had advanced p;s,.
ty near them according to our syste
when they discovered us. | then gave
orders to my troop to fire Nine was
supported by that If NJ. Wager, and
my troops and his received all that OF
the French, during the best part of the
engagement; which held but q quarter
Of an hour before the euemy was rout-
ed
I'VE killed NJ. de Jumonville. the
cemmsner ofthis party. with nine 9th.
ers. we wounded one, aud made twenty
one prisoners among them were NJ de
la Force, NJ Druuillon and two Cadets.
Alter this set out out with the prison.
ers they informed one that thew mad
been sent with warning to cause me
to withdraw. This was a specous pre-
text trumped up in order to discover
our camp, and take view OF our forces.
and our situation. Their design of re.
connoitring US was 20 evident that |
could not help admiring their sssu.
rance, in declaring to me they were
come with an embassy. Their instruc
tions we're to take view of the roads,
rivers, and the country, all the way to
the Potomack: instead Of coming like
ambassadors, 10 public and open man.
ner, they come with the greatest secre.
cy. and seek the most hidden places of
retirement, and much more suitable for
deserters than ambassadors: they en-.
camp in these places: they remain there
whole days concealed, though but with.
in five miles OF US, they send out spies
to reconnoitre our camp; the VIII e
troop goes two miles back; two court
ers, of whom mention 10 made in the in
structions, are sent to advise nj. Con.
treceur of the place where we were
and our disposition: that he may be en-
abled TO send his detachments in order
TO reform the summons as soon as it
should be made.
besides this. the attendance was in.
deed such as might have become an am.
bassador, whereas, it was but little
simple French officer. what need had
an Ambassador. whose character 10 al.
ways sacred, of spissp when their de-
signs were so good, how came they to