Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-05-15
aTHE FIELD OF BRADDoCK."

HE FIELD Or Bis ADDOIh
FROM THE REooLLEcTIoNs OF WASHINGTON.
DR.. James Craik, the early companion IN
arms, and bosom friend Of Washington, was a
native Of Scotland The father of the cele6rSt
ed Paul Jones was gardener TO the father o. Dr
Craik, at whose residence the first years oil the
chevalier were passed-his real name, john
Paul
Educated for an army surgeon, DR.. Craik,
soon after his arriva. in Virginia, was attached
10 the troops destined under the command Of
Col Washington, 10 repel the Entertainments
of the French and Indians, and was present al
the affair of For, Necessityyin l755. The fol-
lowing year he joined the army of Braddock,
partook Of the dangers of that disastrous cam
paigu, and dressed the wounds OF his ill-iated
commander, on the field Of battle.
The associations of Craik with Washington,
were Of the most interesting character,-Their
first commissions signed on the same day.
Young fellow-soldiers in the wars of SIS, SO
adventurers in exploring the western wilds,
wheu the Indian Prophet delivered the oracles
Of fate in I7T2-compatriots in the struggle for
liberty-friends in the retirement of private life
lin a word, fornearly half century, and in
times the most productive Of great events, they
were united by warm and affectiona,e attach
The Colonial Governor at Williamsburg, in
l754 to their last adieu, at the dtath-bedside Of
the father Of his country, at Mount Vernon, in
1899.
Craik survived his friend and commander not
many years, dying at the patrarchal age Of
eighIy-four, and preserving his faculties to the
last, in so eminent degree, as to relate the E.
vents oe times long passed, with the freshness
be n og
his venerable lips, have been urrrrvH ->Ony nj
IN. most interesting rccoections OF this work.
of which he might we'll say
"ocroue pse miserrima, vidi ct quorum pars fui."
On the morning of the 9th of July, Colonel
Washington assured the Commander-in-ChIe
that the enemy would 6gh, him on that day
and qaye. as his reasons, that the French were
NO, sufficiently strong Of themselves TO await
his attack within their works; and that their In
dian allies, on whom a principal dependence
was 10 be placed, would never consent, for mo-
mcnt. to be cooped up within the walls oil for
tress.
This iudicious advice was received by inc
brave, but pertinacious Braddock, with lndii-
ference. He spoke Of the number, and disci
Mine of his European troops, his own proves
in war, and the certainty that his bayonets
would glitter above the vanquished walls OF
Fort du Quesne before sunset, rather regretted
that the Rangers could take but little share In
the GRAND escalade, by which he meant 10 storm
the fortress, and end the campaign at a blow.
The Provincial Colonel, finding his salutary
counsel so little regarded, retired TO his friends,
ard remarked, 0this con6dant man, will either
be greatly mistaken, or know but little OF the
Indian character
The ambuscade was so contrived, as to per-
nit the English TO get well out oil the river be.
fore the attack commenced. The regulars 'eil
in their ranks, for time, but were soon thrown
into confusion-their officers mostly killed, and
themselves demolished, without ever seeing
their enemy; for not an Indian was seen by
them. until their shattered remains were re-
crossing the river; then the savages were per-
ceiyed dispalc hing the wounded, whose shrleks
could be distinc lily heard by their retiring COM
rades.
Sixty-four, oat Of eighty Eve officers, and one
half the privates, were killed or wounded Cox
Washington, debiii,ated by previous severe III
ness, from his great and heroic exertons on
this memorable day, became so exhausted, that
when Bishop rushed through the fire OF the
eBemy, and brought him another horse, 1t was
only by the exertions of this faithful follower,
that he was remounted. His hat was shot
through in two places, and 10 use Bishops own
words, the skirts Of his coat were cut in rib
bands.
The Rangers animated by the presence and
example of the PROVING al Colonel, made a gal
Ian, fight; practising the savage mode OF war.
fare, they held the enemy at bay, and enabled
the remains Of the Regulars to escape. This
fine band Of woodsmep suffered so severely,
that Of three to four hundred men who went IN
TO action, scarcely tenth survived
Graddock, with stern, unyielding aspect, be
held the ruin his rashness had made. Colonel
Sir Peter Halket came up to him and observed
that the regular troops, after firing upon an In
yisibies enemy, were in great confusion, ant
suffering terrible carnage; that most Of hi;
officers were killed, or wounded, and praying
tina, the General would be pleased to change
the order of battle, and permit him to 6gh, the
enemy more in their own way. The veteran
tac,ician Indignantly growled out, "What Si'
Peter, are YOU turning coward in your old age. >
Halket bowling, replied, sit is rather late in the
day, may IL please your excellency, Tor me te
turn coward" then retired to the wreck OF his
regiment, and was soon after MORALLY wound
ed. Looking around him for spot, "whers