The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-03-18
Braddock's Defeat,
RELATED BY GENERAL WASHING
TON.

RELATED BY GEN ERAL WASHING
TON.
A writer in NoaI's Times has given high
ly interesting account ofan evening Mt Wash
ngton's Head Quarters on the Hudson, on
which occasion that iIlustrious man narrated
the main incidents ofBraddock's Defeat. A
mong the guests present at dinner on that
evening, was Count Rochambeau, Command
er-in-Chief ofthe French army in America,
and the brave young Major General Gilbert
Mortier, better known by his title ofnobility,
the Marquis de Lrfhyette.
The dinner was over, the cloth removed,
and the dessert, consisting of cracked hickory
nuts aud apples-simpe fare enough-were
placed upon the table. The conversation
had been of a general nature, chiefly relating
to the war, with an occasional witticism from
some of the American officers, but always
within the bounds of propriety, for nothing
else would answer in the presence of Wash
ington.
General" said Count Rocllambeau, with
slight French accent, "give us FrenclImen,
if your eXcellency pleases, some little account
Of the battle between the English and the
French and Indians, when The British Gen
erai, Braddock, was killed, in which you bore
so celebrated part. know my country and
the Indians, got the best oft; but that was
not yoiu fault"
"With pleasure" the General replied
Every head was now bent forward 10 listen.
General BradGocIls troops were fine, well
disciplined fellows" said Washington, "buI
us little calculated for fighting Indians, as raw
recruits 10 manage bnttery. 1t is n mistake
that Braddock was SO imperiOus as is stated.
lie was an English officer, who had seen
much service, aud acquired some credit for
his conduct at the battle of Cullodcn, ten
years before. Colonel Gage, the second in
command, now General Gage, the last royal
Governor Of Massachusetts, was the man who
had his ear chiefly, and TO him may he attrb-
uled in great measure the disasters of tic
day. Gage had conceived somehow great
dislike for me, and my Virginia Ringers. In
fact think he held us all in contempt. had
asked permission tie day before the hattie to
lead on my Rangers in advance to flank the
forests in the neighborhood. My men were
all used to forest Fife, and knew the ways
of the Indians. The request was granted,
and just us my men were ready TO march, with
two days provisions in Their havcrsncks, ord
ers came, in Cages hand writing, but signed
by Braddock, to take my old position. |, of
course, could do nothing else but obey ord
ers. saw distinctly what would occur, and
WIFI w biitNINIbNN 'itliI tCIT. ibl VIC hSIC
then encalnped, but was told could not see
him-tl0t he was then in conference with
Colonel Gage and several other officers.
was somewhat surprised tllat had not been
called TO the council, but my pride forbade
me TO send in my ralne alter such manifest
omission. ! returned to my regiment, called
my officers together, and we agreed, come
what might, TO stand firm together if any
Thing happened to the regulars, and fight the
Indians in their own way-in fact, TO save
the army. Next morning we took up our
line ofmarch for Fort Du Quesne. When
we approached the ravine where the enemy
lay in ambush, we halted for short time,n
because we knew that your country men and
the Indians were there, but for The purpose
ofconsuliing as TO the best means of approach
ing the fort, but few miles distant. For the
last time requested that the Rangers might
be sent forward to lead the way, and ascer-
tain whether there were any obstacles in our
path. II was then that Colonel Gage, in tones
somewhat warm, said that 'lhe British regn-
lars, and not buchSkinS, should lead the wnyn
for our Virginia Rangers wore buckskin leg
gins, hence the name. 1t was not Braddock,
us is generally related, who made this re-
mark. lreplied with equal warmth, hut was
again refused the offer to lead the advance.
and the army was at once put III motion,
marching the same way as an army would
Inarch in n country OF Europe. The enemy
allowed about hnlftlle column to pass the
ravine, where feared the difficulty. Ola
sudden came a rapid discharge from the road
side, and then arose the Indian yell, a sound
which MAJ men well knew, and knew which
course to take. The regulars in front, punic
struck, fell back, after fringa few shots, in
great confusion on the main body; and the
rear guard, Dunbar's regiment, struck viii!
sudden terror, threw down their arms and
fed, 1t was with great difficulty, so filed
was the road with fiigitivcs, that could eX-
tricate my command and form oil the narrow
rond side We then advanced into the woods
and commenced fighting the Indians in their
own fashion, not with the expectation of
gaining the victory, but succoring the regu
lars, so that they might form again in the
rear. We had hard time ofit for we were
not mnny IN number. Brnddock fell early
in the action, MORALLY wounded, and was
carried off the field in n tunIhril by DR.. CrailI,
the surgeon ofour regiment. The firing CON
timed sometime, and we were forged to give
k,oIx overwhelming numbers. the