Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-08-17
Annals of AIexaMdriR-FOurth Series
BY VIM =. CARRIE.
Uhspler XV-Tho Summer Of Draddocks
DnfpAt.


Defeat.
l755.-Artcr the Congress all movements 10
town we're directed towards forwarding tho ez-
petition, and getting the troops speedily upon
their march towards Fort Duquesne.
On the 18th of April the 40th regiment un- |
dor Col. Dunbar set out for Frederick. Thirty
men were still If; with the officer at Rock
Greek. All the boats 10 the ueighborhood were
pressed TO assist 10 transporting the 4Sth regl.
ment over the Potomac. On the Goth of April
Gen. Braddock with his staff left the Carlyle
House and started for Frederick, leaving Col. |
left Lieut.. Colonel Gage at Alexandria with |
four companies of the 44th regiment to escort
the powder and artillery IS soon as sufficient
number q horses and wagons arrived. Gage
had great difficulty 10 getting horses aud wag-
ons, but after some days Of waiting he took
what he could get, and the first week Of May
moved off with The four companies OF his com.
mand. Thirty sailors from the ships OF war
accompanied him. The sick men Of the com.
maud were Itft 10 the hospital at Alexandria,
and 40 officer and twenty men were left Tor
guard and escort Washington, as soon as his
health permitted, hurried 90 after Braddock,
aud overlook him at Frederick. tie passed
through town ia May, carrying army money
from Williamsburg to the frontier. and again
tade Alexandria farewell.
There is no record Of the Aexandrians WHO
accompanied the expedition. Dr. Cfalk, VINO
built the three story brick house 90 the south
sido OF Duke street, between Fairfax and Lee
streets, still standing, and who was long Wash
iDgton's family physician, was with Braddock.
Mr.. John West says that Thomas LongdeD,
ancestor of the Messrs SDoWden of the Gazette;,
George SalmDe and Michael krumbackerr, OF
Alexandria, marched with the troops from
the very heavy long iron - pound guns brought
over by Braddook for the purpose of batteriDg
Fort Duuuesne being too heavy for carriage,
were left on the bank of the river near the foot
of Wilkes street, Just adj Joining the railroad
have lain there during the Revolutionary war.
After the departure of Braddock's army the
effects Of its cnoampment at Alexandria were
everywhere visible. Not only bad number
of sick men been left in hospital, 10 tents 90
the south suburb of the town, but tho smiths
shops ADD other manufactures which had sprung
into existence from the necessities of the army
were kept at work making ready Tor the oeou'
patton or Fort Duquesnc. Manufactures were
not then az now, vast combinations OF the labor
of many men, controlling marvellous machinery,
backed by the vast power Of steam. Multi
tudes Of small shops. where the skill OF the artl'
IAN supplied the absence of modern lmple-
ments, dotted the town. Stores Of all kinds
for whoE the needs Of tho armg had created
demand, began TO come 10, and tor the h!sf
time Alexandria felt the impetus of com'
MERGE other than that in tobacco. While the
country waited for Braddock to conquer the
French the town grew every day.
Washington had f5reseen this lie had
written to Mr.. Fairfax duriog the previous
April: "AIcXandria has been honored With
the five Governors in consultation, favorable
pressgc. hope, not only of the SUCCESS OF the
expedition, but of the future greatness ct the
town, for surely such 8 meeting must have been
oocasioned by the oommodious and pleasant
situation Of the place which prognocticates
population and &C increase OF furnishing
trade
The urgent need Of st6rehouse ac1olnmoia
ton had been serouaIy felt while the troops
we're 10 togu, and the trustees were urged 10
take suoh action as would increase these &C
oommodaions. Accordingly at the first meeting
of the Town Board held after Braddook' de.
parturn tho subject was considered. There
Waro several warehouses at Poiut Vest, and
tho great tobacco County, warehouse on the
hill above, but there Was no large bulldog
capable OF serving the needs OF commerce ct
Point Lumlsy and 90 the 18th ct June it was
determined to build a town warehouse tEcra. -
The trustees.
Ordered that John Carlyle, gaut, do erect
and build at Point Luney, in this town,
warehouse oil the following dimensions, viz
Ono hundred feet long. twenty four feet vide,
and thirteen feet pitched, to be three divisions,
double shielded. the stills 10 be raised four feet
from tho ground, and so completely finished.
and that no lay lis account Of expense tor the
building thereof before the trustees Of the
town when the same Is completed; that the
same may be examined by them that he re-
caise the money !noW due TO The trustees to en-
able them to carry on the work, aud that the
residue Of tho money by him to be advanced be
repaid him out oil the rents arising from the
said warehous, together with interest thereon
after the rate OF five per cent from the time
that the house is finished; AID it il further
ordered that he do rent the said house when
completed for tho most advanced price that
can be had, and lay lis accounts for rents re.
caircd from time TO time before tho trustees.
and 50 continue TO do until the trustees shall
think it necessary to make some further order
therein.
The Committee On Public Property had its
actual, if not its formal, origin ct this meeting,
when it was directed that VIM. Ramsay, John
Dalton and George Johnston, Gent. do overlook
and inspect the said building"
Before the warehouse was completed terrible
news came. One hot July day the heat was
forgotten. Intelligence arrived that Braddcck
was defeated. The country people crowded into
town. and the market plaoo was alive with the
throDgs that came and went painting with ex.
element and athirst for news. The frat bulle'
tin which gave an account Of the Virginia
troops was this
THE Virginia OEccrs and Troops behaved
like Men and dy'd like Soldiers ; for out OF
three companies that were there that day scarce
80 came safe out Of the field Captain Pey:
roncy and all his officers down to Corporal
were killed. Capt. PoIson's company, (who
was himself kiIled) shared almost as hard fate
for only one Of his escaped Capt. Stewart and
his Light Horse behaved CALAMITY having %