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

feeble, SICK and wounded 70 VIII creek, Tue
only place where supplies could be had.
On the 9th Of July Col Washington had re-
turns made to him at Wills creek, showing the
actual condition Of the several companies in
the expedition. the killed. sick, wounded or
missing as well as the number OF those able for
service, and after seeing all made as comfort
able as possible he and Capt Mackay, who left
his independent company at Wills creek, pro-
ceeded to williamsburg to report to the gov
ernor The two independent companiesex expected
from New York arrived about this time and
were marched to Wills creek, where, with
Capt Mackay's company, they began the erec-
ton of works to serve frontier post and
which finally came to be known as Fort Cum
berland.
THE RETURN TO ALEXANDRIA
The Virginia regiment, after resting few
days marched first to Winchester and after
ward to Alexandria. Notwithstanding the dis
appointing results Of the expedition the as
sembly passed a vote of thanks to Washington
and the other officers for their bravery and
their gallant defense of the country and the
rights of the king in the battle Of the Great
Meadows. The names of two officers connected
with the expedition were omitted in this vote
of thanks, viz: Maj. Muse and Capt. Van
BRAIN. The first because of cowardice and
the latter under the apprehension that he had
Intentionally deceived Col. Washington in the
preparation of the articles Of capitulation
Three hundred pistoles (nearly Sl,lO0) were
voted to be distributed among the men in
the engagement.
When the articles of equalization were signed
Washington had no copy of them in English,
and when they came to be carefully translated
1t was discovered that they contained admis-
sions derogatory to him and his troops and
concessions made as to the claims Of France
pnrposeiy inserted. it was afterward stated,
but not so translated, as to be understood in
that sense by him or his officers and which
could only be accounted for on the theory of
an erroneous rendering of the text of the arti-
Giles OF caPitulation. Some distrust of the
fidelity Of Capt. Van Braam arose end his
name was omitted from the list of officers
thanked by the house Of burgesses. Further
inquiry, however, satisfied all that his imper
feet knowledge Of French was alone to blame.
"ashingtons conduct was carefully inquired
into by the assembly and by the governor.
Nothing was found to blame but much to adj
mire In his courage and perseverance, under
most adverse circumstances and almost criml-
nal want OF support. This was perhaps the
most severe trial and important occurrence In
Washington's early life and military expert
ence. 1t was proper that the country should
know all the facts that they might form just
conclusions. 1t was vital to Interpolation and
military aspirations in the future that the
truth should be told and the causes of the fail
ure be placed where they belonged
l have dweit upon Washingtons first mill
tary operations and their uniavorable end
Ing at greater length than would otherwise
have done had not this reverse with the pecu-
har questions arising In the Jumonville affair
and the verbal inaccuracies in the oral trans
latiOn of the articles of capitulaton taken place
before the greatness and magnanimity of
WashingtOn's character were established to be
above suffering from Misrepresentation. Wash
lngtons conduct having stood the test of every
inquiry by the governor and the assembly early
In August he Joined his regiment then at Alex
andria.
PLANNING ANOTHER EXPEDITION.
The governor was doing everything he could
to send at once another military detachment
across the mountains to engage and dislodge
the French at the forks Of the Ohio, and ac-
tually issued orders to that effect. The Vir-
ginia troops, for want Of numbers and equip
ment were totally unfit for the service de-
manded. The presentation OF facts concerning
the actual condition Of the Virginia forces by
Washington led him into quite correspondence
with the governor aud some Of the members of
the council His letters on the subject at this
time show how comprehensive and sound were
his views on military affairs and how inadequate
were the forces to the object the governor
expected them to accomplish. Much to the
regret OF the governor the sending Of another
expedition that fall was abandoned.
wAsHINGToN's RESIGNATION.
Dinwiddie then resolved upon radical
changes in the organization of the Virginia
troops, adopting a plan OF having no officer
higher than a captain. This measure. it was
snrmised, was devised by Gov. Dinwiddie, Gov.
Sharp of Maryland and Col. Innes, and was de-
signed to minimize the colonels power and
prevent disputes in the matter of rank. This
reorganization would reduce Col Washington,
who, to avoid embarrassment, resigned his
commission in October and retired to Mount
Vernon. In December. 1754 he leased the
Mount Vernon estate from George Lee and his
wife. Ann, late the widow of Lawrence Wash
ington, and took up his residence there.
The ancestors Of Washington were generally
land owners and agriculturists George WASH
ington either inherited or acquired in youth
love for this pursuit. In him taste for cult
waiting the soil was even more ardent than was
his love of arms.
INVITED TO BRADDoCKs STAFF.
In the spring of 1855 Braddock arrived in
Alexandria with two well-equipped British reg
iments, with instructions to proceed. after re-
cruiting his forces in Virginia, to the capture of
Fort Duquesne and the expulsion of the French
from the Ohio. Gen. Braddock was well in
formed as to the abilities OF Col. Washington,
and learning that he had retired from the serv-
ice and was occupying himself with the duties
OF a farmer Braddock concluded to invite the
promising young soldier to join his staff as an
aid In the expedition. Washingt ton accepted
the position, as he was DESTROYS of seeing serv-
ice under capable and experienced officer,
anu May III, AZ rTeuerlck, In Maryland, was
proclaimed an aid to the general, this position
removing for the time being all questions of
rank, which had been such a source of annoy-
ance. He found the well-ordered camp Of the
British regulars good school for study and de-
rived much benefit as we'll as pleasure from his
intercourse with the accomplished officers asso-
ciated with Gen. Braddock.
The history OF this expedition is well known,
as IL also the splendid conduct Of Col. Wash
ington in the disastrous battle of the Monon.
gahela, and his heroic services in rescuing the
remnant of the defeated army and his main
tanning as orderly retreat as was practicable
under the circumstances. Washingtons per-
formance, although just out of q sick bed. was
SO gallant and fearless during the action and in
the retreat as to merit and receive the COM
mendation not only OF the Americans. but also
OF the British officers and soldiers. All tongues
sounded his praise, and from this period for
ward Washington was emphatically man
Of mark not only III the estimation of the
Americans, but OF the British government and
European military officers.
CALLED TO THE COMMAND,
The unprotected condition in which the from
tier OF Virginia was left ON the defeat OF Brad
docks army and the remains of the British
regiments going into quarters at PHILADELPHIA.
instead OF remaining somewhere on the frontier
to check encroachments upon the settlements
called for additional legislation and renewed
efforts by Virginia for her own protection.
The more the situation was discussed the more
the public voice was heard to sound the praise
of Col George Washington, reiterating hi,
especial fitness to command the Virginia forces