Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-22
AN APPEAL FOR FAIRNESS.

constructed. Washington on the 29th OF May
gives n striking exhibition OF one OF his strong
\ est characteristics-lovc of justice-by writing
! an earnest protest to Gov DInwiddie against
l the unfairness of compelling the virginia Off
GERS and men to serve for less pay than was al
4 lowed TO the same grade in the regular army
| doing similar service
| On the 18th be had written; Let me serve
| voluntarily; then l will, with the greatest
| Measure in life devote my services to the ex-
petition without any other reward than the
| satisfaction OF serving my country; but to be
shaving dangerously for the shadow OF pay
through woods, rocks, mountains, / would
| rather prefer the great toll of n daily laborer
and dig for a maintenance, provided were re-
duced to the necessity, than serve upon such
| ignoble terms. for reslly do not see why the
lives of his majesty bjects in Virginia should
be OF less value than of those in other parts of
his American domirions, especially when it is
well known that we must undergo double their
hardship"
Again on the Goth, after showing that their
pay, as fixed, would not clothe them and meet
their necessary expenses, he says: "For my
own part 1t il a matter almost Indifferent
whether serve for full pay or as generous
volunteer. Indeed did my circumstances cor
respond with my inclination, should not hesi-
tate a moment to prefer the latter, for the mo-
tiyes that led me here were pure and noble.
had no view Of acquisition but that of honor,
by serving faithfully my king and country
to encounter and undergo the most severe
trials and, iatter myself, resolution to face
what any man durst az shall be proven when 1t
comes to the test"
With three soldiers and an Indian guide
Washington examined the YoughiOgheny river
for miles to ascertain whether it would be pos
sible &c descend that stream in canoes and
small boats, but this was found 20 be lmpracti-
cable, and he continued his roadmaking
toward the mouth of the Redstone creek
SCOUTING PARTY CAPTURED.
French spies, Indian scouts and reconnoiter-
ing parties from the enemys camp doubtless
kept the French commander fully informed Of
the progress and, approximately, of the num-
Der OF the Virginia troops On the evening OF
the 9th of May Washington learned through
his scouts that a accommodating party of
French were discovered in a retired camp some
six miles distant. Leaving guard with tho
ammunition and baggage in a place of
safety he set out with a guide and forty
men to capture them If possible.
1t was raining and the night was ex-
cessively dark, but they CROPPED their
way to the Half Kings wigwam, who
piloted them to the Frenchmen's camp,
The English were discovered on their APP
proach, Just about sunrise on the 29th, by the
French who flew to arms; sharp engagement
ensued. which was kept up for fifteen minutes,
when the French gave way ana were all cap
tured except one. Ten of the French were
killed, twenty-one were taken prisoners and one
escaped. Washington had one man killed and
Three wounded.
The same day Washington wrote to the gov
ernnr Il full account of the skirmish. The
French. after the skirmish. endeavored to
make it appear that they were on o friendly
mission TO serve a summons on the English.
But that the party was more than this was
proven by the instructions found upon the per-
son of Jumonville. On the Both the captured
French we're forwarded with detachment of
soldiers under Lieut.. John West and Acting
Ensign Spiltdorph to Gov. Dinwiddie, then at
Winchester
wAsHINoroS's PROMOTION.
On the 31st Of May Col. Joshua Fry died at
Wills creek from injuries received by mis- horse
falling on him According to military usage
this threw the whole responsibility of the ex-
petition for the time being upon Col. Washing
ton. On the 4th of June. lisa, Gov. Dinwiddie
promoted Washington to the rank of colonel in
the Virginia regiment. and at the same time
appointed Col James Innes of North Carolina,
who was daily expected at Winchester with
three independent companies from that prov
lnce. to be commander-in-chief From some
fatality or want Of management neither he nor
his companies ever joined Washington; had
they done SO in season the result of the expe-
dition might have been quite different. On
the 9Th Adjt- Muse, recently promoted to be
major, arrived with nine swivels and
a small supply of powder and ball.
He also brought from Gov. Dinwiddis n belt of
wampum and a speech to the Half King with
medals for the chiefs and goods for presents
and rewards to Indian scouts. as suggested by
Washington. The chiefs were invited to a
council and assembled with their usual cere-
monious Formally, painted and decorated in
savage fnery, Washington wore one of the
medals at the council. Half King was decor
ated and given the name Dinwlddie son
of Queen Alequippa, whose friendship Wash
in q a in Ian nv civ
an old match coat, was decorated with
medal and given the name Of Fairfax. The
sachems complinented Washington by giving
him the name Conotaucarins, the significance
OF which is not known to the writer.
On the 10th the camp was agitated by scouts
bringing in word that party Of ninety French
men was approaching. WashiH Gton put him
self at the head of $50 men to Meet them, but
it was soon learned that it was a false alarm
occasioned by nine deserters from the French,
whose numbers had been magnified and their
intentions misunderstood Capt. Mackay ar
rived the same day with his independent COM
pany of South Carolinians. Washington was
now confronted with the dreaded problem of
having ~ officer who conceived because he
held the kings commission he could not re-
ceive orders from provincial officer, COM
missioned by governor. The men of the indie
pendent company would not assist in road-mak-
ing unless paid a shilling sterling xtra per day.
10 avoid misunderstanding Washington left
capt 1lackay AT II OFT Necessity, and On the IL til
OF June proceeded with his own soldiers in the
effort to open the road to Redstone creek. At
Gists plantation, thirteen miles from Fort Ne
cessity, Washington received reliable inteiii-
gence that the French had been reinforced and
were marching to attack him without DELAY
lie began to throw up intrenchments called In
his working parties and held a council of war;
at which II was resolved to retreat until they
could be reinforced.
THE ySG IaFNyyr At THE apr.r ur.novs
On the LIST OF July Washington's forces
reached the Great Meadows, on their retreat
Here the Virginians were exhausted with ia
tigue, hunger and vexation, and declared they
could not carry their baggage and drag the
swivels any further. Washington sent off an
express to hasten supplies and achievements.
began to fortify his position and make the best
defense he could. He had but one day to clear
of the ground, erect defenses and dig trenches,
himself working with ais men. On the morn
ing OF the Sd Of July, while still engaged in
strengthening the defcnses Of Fort Necessity.
the French, IN large numbers, were reported
About II O'Clock they began the attack. which
o'clock In the evening by the French request
ing parley. This eventuated in an agreement
of capitulation. Articles were drawn up in
French defining the terms. which, after several
interviews and notifications, were mutually
agreed TO. BY the light of tallow candle these
articles were read and translated by word OF
mouth to Washington and his officers by Capt.
Van Braam, German, who had only an i'm
I IL Al = -.