The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1877-02-07
SAVED By ACCIDENT.
By 4. =. nILL:

| General Braddocks army, in it
memorable campaign against tht
French and Indians, near the Mon
ongahela, in June, 1855, was accom-
paniei by q small cavalry force 0
not over a hundred, which took part
as far as possible, in the disasterou:
fight. When the retreat was order
ed by Colonel George Washington
who took command upon the fall oI
Braddocl, the greater portion Of the
cavalry was thrown out on either
flank, to guard against surprise
while detachment of dozen or SC
was ordered 10 bring up the rear.
This little force was commanded by
brave and trustworthy Virginian,
Sergeant Crombie.
The enemy did not pursne in force
bat small bands of Indians hung up
on the rear of the shattered army
for several days, hoping to secnre
the scalps of few wounded or worn
out stragglers, and the rear-gard was
considerably harassed by them.
On the third day of the retreat,
the army, which was moving toward
the mountains in a southsasterly
direction, crossed the Youghiogheny
River, little way below the present
site of Connellsville. considerable
railroad town. and halted for the
night. The rear-guard. which had
fallen considerably behind. biyouack-
ed among some rugged hills two
miles from the crossing, without
knowing that there was a river be-
tween them and the main dody.
The night was dark, all were very
much fatiged, and after scanty
supper they soon sought the rest so
much needed. Three Of their num-
ber were detailed as a guard, TO re-
lieve each other at intervals of two,
hours, and the sergeant himself con-
cluded to remain up with the senti-
nels good portion of the night,
The soldiers lay down in their blank
cts, but left the saddles on their
horses, to be ready to mount at
short notice.
1t was far in the night: the fires
with which the soldiers had done
their cooking had gone out, and the
third sentinel was on duly. lie was
also a Virginian, of the name of
John Roberts, and there was q warm
attachment between him and the
sergeant, as they had been comrades
long tImo. John" said the SER
geant, ''everything seems quiet, and
| think I'll turn in. When you
think you have stood your two hours
you can wake George to take your
place. a.1 sas
VERY well. sergeant, There's
no use of your loosing your whole
nights rest. will be watchful."
II know that, John. | will lie
down near you, and you see any
thing wrong, wake me without a
moments delay"
Then I think I'd better walked
you now," said the sentinel, lower
ering his voice to whisper.
Listen !"
At that moment there was q rat
Ting discharge offirearms, apparent
ly about fifty yards IN the rear, and
several bullets whistIed about their
ears. The soldiers sprang up and
threw their blankets upon their sad
dies. -,
Mount, cried the sergeant, who
not knowing the force of the Indians,
determined at once TO fall back on
the army. -
An ,.,o-o :, +b,;r so3lIas IN n yn0
ment, and at the command of the
sergeant rode in the direction of the
army as rapidly as the darkness
would allow, followed by another
shower of bullets, and the loud yells
of :he savages. In daylight it
would have been easy to follow the
path of the retreating army; but the
darkness was very great, and in the
confusion Of the moment the sold
diers dashed off at random, and
were soon scattered and lost among
the bushes.
John Roberts quickly mounted
and galloped away after the others,
supposing that the sergeant was at
his heels, nut the latter was not so
fortunate. 1t seemed that a bullet
had cut the strap with which his
horse was secured, and the frighten-
ed animal plunged away after his
companions, leaving his brave rider
alone, on foot, to contend with a
score or two of savages, or escape
from them as he might.
xroC in60a1
and he fully realized it-alone arm.
cd only with a horse-pistol and a
sabre, and confronted by consider
able number Of Indians, who were
armed with rifles. Had his compan-
ions known his situation, they
would readily have come to his re-
lief at the risk oil their lives; but
scattered as they were in the dark
ness, it would be hours before they
would miss him. lie thought of
this, and concluded that his only
hope Of escape was to conceal his
mishap from the Indians. If they
believed that all had escaped, they
might not come Immediately to tie
spot but should they suspect that
one was left behind they would
pounce upon him in an instant.
1t was a narrow valley, full of
trees, bushes. and very rocky in
places. Favored by the darkness he
might slip away. but he knew how
keen the savages' ears were aud
that the slightest sound would ap-
prise them of his presence. He
was standii g by large tree, and OF
course these thoughts lad passed ra.
pidly through his brain. He turned
to move awys stealthi'y, just as be
heard the savages approaching IN
the direction The shot had come
from, when he found himself con-
frontad hv a tall fioura barely visi.