San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1888-02-23

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still more ferocious. In March, l74s, wit
an Indian guide and few white attendant.
Washington commenced the survey. Fo
three years he followed this laborious an
dangerous calling, bearing all the hardship
incident upon such life, rarely sleeping In
bed and depending principally for food upo
the game and flsh they could take.
At this time tho French and English ha,
become embroiled on account of their riva
claims to all the interior of tho country
and between them the Indians suffered 8
greatly that they turned and wreaked ven
geance OH both parties.
Washington was then 10. Young as h
was, no was regarded as ono of tho mos
prominent men Of the state. Danger threat
ened and the state was divided into districts
over each military commander was ap
pointed and Washington was made ono o
these majors, as they were called, and th,
power given him was almost dictate
rial, as tho responsibilities were very grea
and the mode Of warfare could not follow tn,
tactics Of European armies. The Indians
Joined drst one side and then the other
hardly understanding their own position OF
rights, but finding that they were equally II
treated by each, though the French at first
seemed to have gained their hearts.
The nflicting countries would neither
consent to q compromise nor arbitration
The French, descending from Canada, had
established several trading posts, which were
also Notifications, In the Ohio valley. Gov.
ernor Dinwiddie, under the pretense of wish
ing to protest against these encroachments
upon what he called British territory, but
really to ascertain the number strength and
position Of the French garrisons and to sur
vcy route by which an army might be sent
for their capture, sent Washington to the
French post. "Washington was further
more to inquire diligently and by cautious
means into the number of the French troops,
the re-enforcements they expected from
Canada, how many forts they had, where
they were, how garrisoned, and, In short, OBJ
tain all possible information regarding
Them"
Washington was now 20 years and @ months
old, and he volunteered his services for this
purpose. Governor Dinwiddie was delighted
and said: "Truly you arc brave lad, and IL
you play your cards well, you shall have no
cause to repent Of your bargain"
Accordingly on the 18th of November. 1883,
w ocV Ouu LIOIil w Ou
this perilous expedition, with only eight men,
one an Indian. Forty.one days were spent
on this journey, which resulted In his discov-
cry of several forts and much other informa-
tion, and on his return he examined the forks
Of tho Ohio river carefully as good place
for fort.
A little army Of 400 men was gathered by
Governor Dinwiddie, and he ordered WASH
ington, as its colonel, to "march rapidly
across the mountains. Disperse, capture or
kill all persons who are attempting to take
possession Of the territory Of his majesty on
tho banks Of the Ohio or any Of its tributa-
ries. Leave nothing behind but
smoldering ruins and mangled corpses."
He defeated small force of the French un-
der Capt Jumonville, and built Fort Ncces-
sity at Great Meadows; here he was besieged
by an overwhelming force and captured on
terms allowing his force freedom to return
home War being now inevitable between tho
British and French, tho problem resolved It,
self into attack by the British, and in the
spring of l755 they sent two regiments of
regulars from England to capture Fort
Duquesne from tho French. These troops,
though perfect soldiers, knew nothing Of In
dian warfare, and Gen. Braddock, proud,
self-conceited man, despised the American
troops and declared he had nothing to fear
and nothing to learn from Colonists, French
men or Indians. Col. Washington was re-
duced to the rank Of captain by Governor
Dinwiddie, and ho at once resigned his COM
mission and retired from the army. Gen.
Draddock, however, having invited WASH
ington to tako part in the campaign as one
Of his staff, retaining his former rank, the
invitation was accepted. Washington soon
became convinced of the incapacity of Gen.
Braddock, and complained of unnecessary
delays, for he fully understood the danger of
delay giving tho Indian scouts opportunity
to watch and report every movement to the
enemy. Then came Braddock's defeat
Braddock's command approached a defle
which seemed as IL made for them, and 1t
was just such place as should have aroused
suspicion, but Braddock pushed gayly on
They were but few miles from Fort Du-
luesne, and the general was clated at his un-
resisted march, while Washington was ap-
palled by tho danger of an Indian ambuscade,
Ind in another instant storm of bullets
from unseen foes burst upon them. A mo-
nent later the ground was strown with tho
lead and dying The horses took fright and
ldded to the horror Of the scene, and the
-anks were thrown into utter con-
Washington had two horses
hot under him, and four bullets passed |
through his clothing as he rallied his Vir- |