Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1859-09-15
the tongue oftradition, yonder slope, by yon-
der spring, transpired come of its most paia

Major General Dir edward Braddock, Cen
erallissimo Of his Majesty's forces for the sub
ugatior of France in America, although pas
sionate, headstrong and unskilled in the war
fare of the woods, was in European accepta-
ton, bra7e and skillful commander. De-
spite all the obloquy which has been heaped
upon him, Washington who was no mean
Judge, said OF him after he had gone through
the revolution, that he was zone of the hon
estest and best British officers whom he had
known" His advent to the new theatre Of
war was hcraded with high hopes. How
deeply in blood and rapine were they all bur-
led
Braddock's force-absolutely small, but
great for the occssion-was, as you know
composed of two defective Regiments sent
from Ireland-the 44th, Col. Sir Peter Haik-
ct, gallant officer, and the 48th, Col. Thom-.
as Dunbar of equivocsl reputation. Thesc
were recruited in Virginia, Maryland aud
Pennsylvania so as in all to number 2200,
besides women wagoners, and few Indians
say few Indians for by this time, owing
to multitude of adverse influences, nearly
all the western Indians bad attached them
selves to the French. ,..5
Having rendezvoussd at Fort Cum mberiand,
where they were so long detained, the army
began its slow march for Du Quesne about
the 10th of June, 1855. One of its evil por-
tents was an unusual drowth which had pro-
vailed since carly in April. There was no
pasturage, and mill ponds had lost their pow
er to grind. Sickness ensued among the
troops and horses lost their flesh and strength
The train and military stores were enormous
ly ponderous. On the march, at the Little
Crossings Of Casteman's, it became necessary
to divide the forces-the sick from thesssa
the bad from the good; and the former with
the heavy baggage, to be brought up by Dun
bar as best as he could while Braddock with
Sir Peter and the elite Of the army were to
hurry on and take the French Fort. Wash
ington was one of Braddock's Aids. He, too,
sickened, and after trying to keep up with
the advance had to be left behind to be pick
ed up by Dunbar. Braddock had great re-
gard for hisyoung Virginia Aid, and gave to
him in this sickness covered wagon, plen-
tiful supply of James's Fever Powders. and
his favorite Surgeon Dir. James Craik, to at
tend him. Washington gave Braddock cred
it for his life on this occasion but not doubt
ing he would recover, sxacted from the Gener-
al a promise not to engage the enemy until he
would join him. He recovered SO AS to he able
in few days to m-ve on in the wagon in ad-
vance of Dunbar, with conveys OF beeves and
prOvlsIOnS. OU tuc 0u OI ) MY, the hnnlVcrsa-
ry OF his surrender one OF these convoys left
the camp west of the Meadows-"Brnddock
grave"-and with 1t went Washington over
taking Braddock at his Camp on Gro oked Run,
on the evening of the 9th the night before the
battle. Doubtless Washington, with that COR
voy encamped at Gist's on The night Of July 4th,
l754 That signal evidence of the youthful
ardor and devotedness of the Great Hero, let
us here, this day, commemorate. A less true
| al I,or rod tobipd uit har
and gathered lanrsls on the mountain instead
Of on tho bloody bank OF the Monongahela.
In the disastrous battle of the 9th, Wash
ton relates that he was so emaciated by tho
fever which lurked in his veins, that he had
to ride upon pillow. Two horses were shot
under him, and his clothes pierced with balls
yet he escaped unhurt. Marvellous preserva-
ton for to become his countrys dolivereri--
You know the result of that days slaughter
In an army Of about ,450, the killed were
42G, the wounded 421. After having four
horses killed under him, Braddock fell from
tho fifth, near the close of the engagement,
mortally wounded in his lungs. Ofthis wound
you know he fingered until the night of tho
18th, when he died in the camp two miles
west of the Great Meadows, and was buried
in the road, near the place by the tree where
some Of his romans yet repose. Had it not
Leen for good old Abraham Stewart, Esq !,
the honored father of my friend here behind
me,-who in 1904 collected his scattered
bones and there re-intered all of them he
could find, they would long ere this have been
found in some Museum, side by side with
those of Mastodon, or the scull of some South
Sea cannibal. England il not America, owes
him monument. Washington intended one
Bnt when he came to look for his grave, in
1884, it could not be found. When it was
found, Washington was dead.
1t has been commonly stated that Beanjeux
the French commander at Braddock's defeat
was killed in the action. Recent developments
by old Fort Duguesne records prove that he
was only mortally wounded, and "having
been confessed andNmade his dcvotions," died,
as did Braddock, on the 10Th, and was inter
ed in the cemetry. TRe>dray has long rat
tied over:his grave, and his requiem is the song
Of steam.
Dunbar now demands passing notice
When it was that he reached his camp, OH
the southern slope of Wolf-hill, behind us
here, is uncertain: probably Oh the fourth of
july for lie is known to have passed the
Great Meadows on the I'd. But why he staid
there so long is not so clear. lie had snug
and healthy location; and had built dam
which formed fine bathing-pond, and which
upon his fight, became the bath of so 900
pounds of powder. But he must not be too
severely censured. At best he was but con-
ductinga travelling lazaretto Of men and hor-
ses, requiring often three days to complete
one days march of three miles. Moreover it
was ''foregone conclusion" that he was to
share in none of the honors OF the anticipated
triumph at Fort Duquesne. Happily his dis
grace was his safety, and unlike lis superior
compeer, Sir Peter Halket, he lived ''to fight
another day. and to become the Lieutenant
Governor of Gibraltar.
OF all the staff officers qualified to conduct
retreat from the fatal field Washington alons
was left. lie accomplished il as well as be
could, and effected temporary rally on the
western side of the river. Braddock, fallen,
had said "let me die on the field of my dis
honor" But his faithful Orme. aided by the
gallant Captain Steward, ofthe Virginia horse
carried him off and bore him to this Temporal
ry rally.
1t now became necessary to dispatch orders
for relief to Dunbar. 1t could be borne by
no common messenger. Braddeck had, as ho
conceived, diShonored him, but he was bound
to obey an aid. Washington, though faint by
disease and almost exhausted by labor and
care was the only one that could 60. Brad
dock sent him off ir the night, with two COM
panions. 1t was dreary apd starless night
Washington relates that it was so dark, that
often amid gloom of the forests he had to a.
light from the horse and group his way
Day davned upon him at Gist's and by sun
rise he was ut the Camp OF Dunbar with the
doleful tidings. His message was not made
public; for wagoners who passed and fled
from there "on their swftest horses" up till
noon of tho 10th, make no mention in their
narrative of Washingtons arrival. They all
concur in saying that Braddock, after being
carried from the field twas fell on and muir
dered by tie Indians" He yet lived, but in
a condition to give no sign.