The New York herald., 1845-02-10

Trip on the Ohio River.
Correspondence of the Herald.l
ONO RIVER, (Bound DOWN.
ysn NIIlaI..x a. Enh l2i

r.,
Via Wheeling, &c., Feb. l, lS45
The Weather Passengers arrival at Browmvile-
Braddocks Field-Particulars of the Battle
Death of General Braddock = Washington's Sue
cessfd Retreat -Pitsbmg Departure from
Punctuality of Boats the Western Rtuers--
Preparations to reccire Col. Polk on his ,cdy TO
Wasiington--G Great Enthusiasm anticipated.
On leaving Cumberland, the weather, which had
been very fine east of the mountains, suddenly
changed. Dark clouds came dashing over the
mountains from West Northwest. As we as
cended the first inclined plane, OF twelve miles,
toward Frostburg, the air became colder and the
wind stronger at every step. When reaching near
The first summit, the peaks in every direction were
covered with coat of snow. The wlBd was
sweeping and bowling with fearful force aorg the
deep valleys and gorges either hand, ashne the
frozen tree tops into cracking waves, Causing them
to send forth deep and mournful sighs over the
desolatlon caused by hoary winter The broken
black clouds came flying swiftly by, like misty
spirits OF the air, speeding their course towards
some grand convocation of their rnrevealed order.
The farther we went, the co.der il became, till
perfect warmth, inside the coach even, out OF
the question. ''Far West' was constantly out a,
every stage, talking to the driver, now and then
| taking horn and putting cigar. He at one stand
offered TO bet the driver he could beat his horses
on foot for the first mile He all the time seemed
Ill NJ eaSs lnSlOes MS green coat
Il sufficient protection against the cold blast OF
wind 10 which he would have been exposed o.
the box, beside the driver. his favorte place o.
riding. He amused himself, however, by telling
John Bull come most extraordinary stories abou'
scenes and adventures in the Western wIds, which
| have not time to repeat. He complained 0!
having his legs awtuy cramped among the grea'
complication of interocked limbs, the respective
owners Of which scarcely recognised their OWL
property in he general nsl<e. "Far West"declared
if he had much farther 10 go, 6 his limbs would
remain in the position in which ne was sitlng and.
instead of walking, he would have TO leap forwaro
like kangaroo" AT the end Of this remark, al
elderly gentleman, on the middle seat, lost his ba
lance in snooze, and falling forward, lodged hi
face and head under lady's bonner,
who sat opposite to HIM on the front seat.
bringing the disc of his own face in direc
contact with hers, which brought a suddeI
exclamation of surprise from the lady, beg
plunge and the scream aroused the sleeper, who OF
perceiving the somnambHlltc liberty he had taken
begged pardon in the most polite and sincere terms
This incident brought OUT FarWest," who wonder
ed how any mortal man could ever sleep In such
place, packed together as close as figs in a drum
And even If a man made mods where ladies wer'
present, they should be done at respectful dis
tance. For his part he could no more sleep in such
closed up box, than he could sitting on the en-,
of Mississippi sawyer, which might give him
cold bath every time It went down."
On we rolled, however, leaving milesones be-
hind u.s. till we were set down at Brownsville. OF
the Monengahala, fifty miles east Of Wheeling. Her
we divided our company. "FarWest" and the Eng.
lishman posting on to Wheeling, and the rest q
us taking a steamboat to Pittsburg ''Far West
bid me a cordial farewell. urging me 10 call ane
see him. declaring, in return, that ii he ever wen
back TO Gotham, he would find me if he mad I,
search every street and lane in the city, until h,
treed me. Our boat proceeded sixty miles dow
the River,when we came to Braddock's Ripples, a.
it is called, close TO which, and within twelv,
miles of Ptisburs, on the Monongahala, is Brad
docks Field, where that celebrated General wa
Haie fsI II rruhl 10 for hsTr tnaf
tie ground of General Washington. The ground,
which skirt the river which runs from the sou'l
northward to join the Allegheny at Pttsbnrg, ar,
for few hundred yards on its east side compare
lively level. 1t then rises quite abruptly inte
irregular and broken chain OF hills. Oa the brow
of high hill that completely overlooks the ope
ground on Its side near its base, and the leve
ground between 1t and the river, the French ant
Indians Were drawn up in ambush TO await the al
proach of General Braddock, who, with Col Wash
ingtop, were marching down the river for the pun
dctachk which the French designed 10 extend from
Canada 10 Louisiana. This chain of military post
the Enslish designed TO break up for he protec.o
aud security Of their then tnrleen colonies.
When Braddock's forces had gained the marrow
plain between the river and The hill, the Frenc
and indians came down upon them from the hi
like au avalanche. Braddock formed his men il
European order, contrary it is said to the advice OF
the Indian mode OF warfare. BraddOck attempted
to charge the enemy on the brow of the hill amids
murderous fire, when he fell, moraiIy wounded
The command then falling Washington, aftel
the day was lost, in order to avoid being out.
hanked and totally cut off. conducted successful
retreat, bearing of Gen Braddock on litter, who
when entering the mountains, and just afte
crossing the summit Of Laurel Hill, expired neal
4 small stream, called Braddock's Run, where hI
grave is still pointed out close on the side OF tn,
national road This defeat aroused the energies o.
the English nation, which never slept till boti
Canada aud Fort Duquesne fell beneath their arms
The French and Indlaas were stationed on the hill
above where the small house is now seen Brad
docks forces were first attacked the plain
where the tall trees are seen near the river Tn,
hardest fighting took place about the ground nov
occupied by the house and field on the side of iht
Hill. The farmers Of the neighborhood, even yet
occasionally find balls, buttons, pieces of swords
fre-loCks, bayones, &c.
Braddock's grave is in depression of the noun.
tains, just after crossing Lnurel Hill, (he las
ridge OF the Alleghanies, going .west) he is bu
red in, or near the old national road, which runs
just in the rear OF the inn and the large oek tree.
TO which there is wooden board nailed, with th'
simple inscription OF "Braddock's Grave" on il
His body is supposed to have been inferred in tn,
old road just in the rear, and opposite to, the larg,
oak mentioned. Ii is said the re!reatiDg American
and English adopted the plan Of burying him d.
rectly in the road, in order that his remains mIe b.
not be discovered by the Indians. The preseni
National Turnpike, or McAdmized road runs il
front OF the " 5raddock Heuse " the name Of th
inn, and, also, of the large tree.
Grants Hill, in the rear. is so called in honor o
Col. Grant, an English officer, who captured For
Duquesne, long subsequent to Braddock's defeat,
by occupying the hill, which completely overlooked
and commanded the fort. Fort Pitt passed from
the English to the Americans in The Revolutionary
war.
This town now contains thriving and manufac
turing population of forty or fifty thousand in
habtants. Good soft coal sells at three cents pei
bushe Iron is the staple production. Steam en-
gines and steamboats, are built In great numbers
great variety of other manufactures are carried
on,-the town having a cloud of smoke resting
over il, all the time, like pail Its hotels good,
and its trade very considerable.
The hour is late,-the night, cold and dark
Large quantities of ice are floating down the river
Our boat isnow moored at Beaver, where will bio
you good night. SANDY Hook.
FEBRUARY 2, 1916.
lam descending this stream ne fast as steam VII
prope the boat amidst floating fields OF ice To .
man accustomed to the punctuality of Eastern
boats, the unmeaniug promises OF steamboat car
tains the western rivers as to- the time OF de-