Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-07-11
From the National Journal.

peace.
From the National Journal
Yesterday, July 9th, was the anniversary Of
Braddock's defeat on the Monongahela. /: has
often been said, that Washington was Colonel
Of the Virginia militia at that battle; he was
not; but was then in the military family Of the
commander.in-chief, as his Aid. TWAS by the
advice of Washington that several companies
Of Virginia rangers, with ten or eleven hundred
of the BRITISH regular troops, left the main bo
dy of the army with light baggage to reach
Fort Du Quesne without notice, and attack and
take it by surprise. 1t was also the advice Of
the Aid to use the rangers as out-Hankers and
scourers Of the woods for the safety oil the re-
gular army; this was smiled at as derogatory TO
The British soldiers. They we're attacked sud-
denly; the ground was favorable for the assai-
ants The British fought in column and in
line, giving few Indians and French an oppor-
| tunity to aim at some one at every fire, as the
assailan,s were covered by thick wood
Washington was then sick with fever, but al
ter his patron and General was wounded, he al
tempted in vain to rally the troops; the only
thing left for him TO do was 10 bring off the &C.
neral, and this was effected by himself and two
Others under heavy fire of the enemy. The
dying Braddock was brought about forty miles
before he expired. He was buried in his uni
form and cloak, and the ground was smoothed
and covered with leaves to hide the grave, as it
was feared the pursuing Indians would find II
and offer indignities 10 the illustrious dead for
more gallant officer could not have been found
in the British army than Braddock, when he
took the command in this country. Virginia
always foremost in giving credit to the merits
of her own sons-in this she has set good ex-
ample to her sister States which has not always
been followed-hailed Washington as, the pre-
server of the remains Of that Inflated army,
and from that hour, from pulpit 20 court house,
from brands to Legislative halls, his deeds
were the common theme Of praise.
1t is now only seventy-two years since that
day; what changes in that wild have taken
place, where silence and nature were known
only 10 passing time, except when the native Of
the forest kindled his fire, or sent forth his war
cry; population Of more than four millions
have started up, and are in the enjoyment OF
not only the necessaries and comforts, but Of
the luxurics and re6pemen.s Of polished life.
! There are men living who were in that battle;
some three or four perhaps;-to them, il they
have been close observers, this country has been
a great theatre on which the scenes have often
shifted, and the drama has increased in interest
as act succeeded act. Little did the statesmen
and philosophers Of Europe then think, that a
juvenile militia officer, who was engaged in In
dian skirmishes, or following Indian trails
through in,ermin able wildernesses, was to give
a name to the age Of Improvements and won.
ders which was then fast coming on: Yet, ii
has been so; for already this is called the age
of Washington, by men OF wisdom and lovers
of freedom in every country, even where these
blessing. are only known in speculation.-Ihe
Traveller finds no traces Of Braddock's battle
at the present day. The field of carnage once,
is now field of high cultivation, nor does our
country show any marks OF the sufferings, the
priva,ions and sacrifices Of human Lille made by
the race of men who laid the foundation OF our
coun,ry's glory by their virtues and their Prov
ess: they sleep in the bed OF honor, ard the
waves Of time pass over them-and only now
and then scan,y tribute Of gratitude Is offered
TO their memories.
Tune Casting.-A machine has been invented
and built by Mr.. Peter Sturtevant, and Mr.. Ed
| win Starr. the head mechanics OF the Boston
Type ADD Stereotype Foundry, which is likely
to be of very important use in the art OF type
making. Ii is a machine for casting the type,
| by merely turning crank, thereby avoiding
the laborious and dilatory process OF casting oy
hand. The operation by this machine may be
performed by boy or a person entirely unskiil-
ed, with double the rapidi,y of the best caster,
and so much greater is the force by which the
metal is injected into the mouids than that e4-
erted in casting In the usual method, that there
| is rarely if ever an imperfect face, IN casung
the most slender and difficult letter. There Is
besides less waste Of metal, than In the ordina-
nv mode of casting. The machine is not com
plex, and is little likely, as far as we can Judge
! from its construction, to get out OF order. We
forbear giving more particular description,
because the ingenious inventors have not yet
secured the benefit of their improvement by
patent. This we presume they will do without
delay, and in the mean time the machine viii
1 be introduced into use in the extensive foundry
above mentioned. Boston Daily advertiser