The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1895-07-05
Written for the Citizen. J

the ever-memorable disaster, which
American history has recorded as
"Braddock's Defeat" and which, up to
that date, was the most tragic and
bloody disaster that had befel any
body of military in the American
colonies. In presentirga review of this
fateful expedition. it is not our design
to go into details of preliminary events
any further than is absolutely neces-
sary to explain the Cause of this military
expedition, with which every student
of American history should be famil-
lar.
The English settlements in North
America, until late in the seventeenth
century, were confined to the country
lying east OF the Allegheny mountains.
Even the most adventurous traders
from Virginia and Pennsylvania rare
ly penetrated beyond the head waters
OF the Ohio river, and the spot where
PittsbuTg now stands, was for long
time, an extreme frontier point, where
the hlte fur traders and the western
Indians were accustomed to meet to
exchange their commodities. All be
You'd was an UNEMPLOYED wilderness,
which was known only as occupying
certain degrees of latitude and lOngi-
tude upon the map. A short time be.
fore the commencement of the French
aud Indian war, this spot was occupi-
ed by a French force, and a fort erect
ed, which, in honor of their comman-
der, was named Du Quesne.
All the country to the west of the
Alleghanies was duly claimed by France
by the right of discovery, in the year
1876, by Father Marquette and Joliet,
of Quebec, French subjects, who had
passed down the Mississippi in caval
as far as Arkansas. TO this vast re-
glon the English also laid claim, based
upon purchase that had beeu made
by commissioners from PENNSYLVANIA.
Maryland and Virginia, and the Six
Nations. Such were the foundations
OF the rival claims that plunged the
two nations into a long aud bloody
war that ended in loss to France of
her entire American possessions. AL
though up to the period of the Brad
dock expedition, no declaration of war
had been declared by either England
or France, the French forces inAmerica,
from her celebrated chain of frontier
forts, especially Du Quesne, had in-
cited the Indians to war against the
English settlers, and had poured their
savage and plunderiDg bands upon the
unprotected frontiers of PENNSYLVANIA,
Maryland and Virginia, with the re-
suit that the colonies were compelled
to appeal to the home govern
ment for aid, with the result that early
in the year 1855, General Braddock.
with large detachment of the English
army III Ireland, was sent over to their
assistance
Fort Du Quesne being considered
the bane of the frontier settlements.
Maryland had in l754 passed ali act to
aid her sister colony, Virginia, in an
effort to reduce this fort, and Governor
Horatio Sharpe, Of Maryland, was, by
royal commission, made commander
iu-chief Of all the forces engaged
against the French on the Ohio.
On the oath of December, 1854. the
General Assembly of Maryland was
again convened and passed law for
the levying OF troops for the ensuing
campaign. In the session of 1855.
they passed other laws providing for
the energetic prosecution of the expe-
ditlou, which ended so disastrously for
the noble colony and which is the sub
ject of our article
Early in 1855 General Braddock ar
rived at Alexandria, Virginia, with a
large body of troops. Upon his arrival
council of colonial Governors were
summoned to meet him at Annapolis,
on the 3rd of April. The council
consisted of General Braddock,
Governor Dinwiddie, of Virginia.; Com
modore Keppel and the Governors of
Massachusetts. New York and Penn
sylvana.
The place of meeting having been
changed, these gentlemen, together
with Governor Sharpe, of MARYLAND.
proceeded to Braddock's HEADQUARTERS
at Alexandria. In the council there
three expeditions We're determined
on; the first, against Fort Du Quesne.
under Braddock himself, reinforced by
the Mary land and Virginia militia;
the second against Niagara and From.
tlnac, and the third against Crown
Point.
Governor Sharpe Immediately pro-
ceeded to Frederick, where a portion
OF the army was already quartered and
was here Joined by Braddock, who
mad left Alexandria on April Goth.
Braddock intended to remain in Fred.
erick until his stores should be for
warded to Fort Cumberland, an En-
glish frontier fort. but the Virginia
contractors having failed to fulfill
their engagements, his stay at Fred
erick was prolonged until much be-
You'd his patience and expectations
and compelling him to send around
the outlying country for food and cat.
tie for his troops.
While the English commander was
thus reviling his ire against army con.
tractors, Benjamin Franklin arrived at
Frederick, ostensibly in the char.
acter of Postmaster General, to ar
range for the transmission of dis
patches, but was in reality sent by the
Pennsylvania Assembly to pacify
Braddock, who they understood was
incensed against them.
Notwithstanding the entire conf
dence Braddock had in himself and
his trained regulars, Franklin relying
upon his better knowledge of the dit.
ficulties of the country and the pecul.
lar character of Indian warfare, mod.
estly remarked to the General that il
he arrived before Fort Du Quesne with
his troops and artillery, the fort could
probably make but a short resistance,
but he himself feared the ambuscade
of the Indians" BIaddock smiled at
what lie thought Franklin's igno.
rance, and replied: "These savages
may indeed be a formidable enemy to
rau A nnarioan militia hut ,,,,.,,,