The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1873-09-26

OhSIs, IHey eau PICK up nearC ana reform
when the enemy is found. If not, we'll
all be killed, officers and men,"
"Killed ~ hoarsely roared Braddock,
while mounting his second horse. "And
why not? Better die with naked front to
the foe than blink and skulk like hares in
their FORMS Get behind trees! Oh,
that ever I'd live to hear British officer
and nobleman's son, too, give voice to
such bastard words Officers, command
you to separate yon frightened mob! Ad-
vance the regimental colors Set up rally
ing points Tell the men off into platoons,
and hunt up the enemy in that way Major
Washington, bid the rest of the artillery
advance and open with grape %
The word had scarce left his lips, before
his second horse was laid low with a bullet,
and Braddock was again on his feet in the
road, which did not go far to improve his
temper. Here Washington ventured to
observe, quietly and in low :ones ''Gen-
eral, since the enemy's evidently in great
strength ahead and on each flank, would
it not be well to find out exactly where he
is, and how he manages to SO hide himself?
If we could retire the troops little out of
fire, beat up these woods with the bayonet,
and reform
''Retire retire out of fire, and before
id dastardly foe who dare not uncover
himself!' 20 shouted Braddock. "Major
Washington, you are my aide de- camp to
carry orders, not to gice them! Retire is
a round, well-picked word 1t may suit
your American militia, but, sir, it is a dis
graceful word for an officer holding his
Majesty's commission, either to speak or
to hear! 1t was by retiring, as you we'll
call it, that Forts Duquesne and Necessity
were given up by you last year to the
French Damme, sir, it has been so
much retiring that brings me and my
army on this field! Here, orderly, bring
me another mount -
Washington's pale face flushed up with
indignation at this singing, but totally
undeserved taunt, the more CALLING since
Braddock had repeatedly given his appro-
val of the '54 campaign. Seeing the
Generals obstinate temper, and knowing
he had no right to offer advice, he put spurs
to his horse and was soon over the hill to
hurry up the artillery.
''That's right, officersr' hoarsely shout
ed Braddock, soon as he was again mount
ed. Tell Oft your men into small parties,
advance On double-quck, and drive those
ID skulking vagabonds from their hiding
placesr'
1t was useless. By this time the conf
dent and whoopirg savages had enveloped
both flanks, while a most CALLING concen-
trio fire was poured in upon the panic
stricken army, which was particularly Sc
we're upon the officers.
In vain these officers, with unparalleled
| bravery, put themselves repeatedly at the
head of small parties and advanced with
cheers upon the hidden foe. Distinguished
by their horses and uniforms, they were
simply sacrificed.
In the dark and narrow road, surrounded
on all sides by gloomy trees and dense
! thickets, we're crowded close together the
! plnic-stricken wretches, appalled, at the
fatal fires of foes whom they never saw
Many fired away into the air many more
| brought down their own men.
Wherever puff of smoke was seen, of
went the soldiers muskets while all
around, securely hidden in those mysteri-
Gus, unsuspected ravines lay a screeching,
murderous, insatiate foe, their rifles OF
Inusllets loaded with both bullet and buck
shot, peering through grass and bushes,
resting them on the Drinks, gathering
! more and more confidence with each fatal
volley, and making the forest echo with
| dcmoniac yells and whoops and savage
clamor.
Occasionally a naked and hideously-
| painted savage would break from cover,
and rush forward with fearful screech, to
! secure the scalp of some officer he had
shot Then would follow volley of mus
| kerry from the poor soldiers, killing OF
wounding their own fellows more than
damaging the enemy.
What followed deserves not the name OF
battle it was simply horrible slaughter.
Once Colonel Burton managed to gather a
hundred men, and advanced toward a
rising ground N 'front.' the very centre OF
the French position, but upon his being
disabled by rifle ball, the rest retired pre-
cipitately.
By this time Sir Peter Halket came up
with reinforcements, but too late for good.
The men were hopelessly disordered and
panic-stricken, firing off all their ammuni-
ton, quarreling with their brave officers,
who threw themselves from their horses
and led them repeatedly on foot, but only
| to be swept into eternity.
The only thing for Braddock to do when
| he found himself caught in this horrid
slaughter pen was, manifestly, to retire
his forces, while he had them yet under
! control throw out scouting parties to
beat up the enemy's position bring out
his artillery to the ends of the ravines and
thoroughly rake them with grape and can
Mister, or to route out the securely-hidden
! foe with the bayonet. Indians have never
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