The Plymouth Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1878-1901, 1901-07-18
CHAPTER V.
BRADDOCK'S DEFEAT.
tCont.nuation)

tCOnt.nuaJiOn)
All these things inflamed the imagi-
nation of our brawny Scot, now as
big. strong, well-grown lad just en-
tering his teens, and he set up an in
sistent entreaty to be allowed to 90
with the rest, not doubling the cam
paign would be victorious and of brief
duration. Sammy John was SOrely
put TO it to meet all the arguments
advanced by the lad, especially as he
was SO eager to go himself and en-
tertained the same opinion as to the
outcome of the adventure, and one
day he fairly gave in under the pres
sure and declared that both should 90
and witness the rOut of the frOg-eat-
ers- o, that was a joyful day FOR An
gus, be sure. He had long been de-
plorng his sad case in not hearing
from home and he had been diSap-
pointed because the approaching war
had DELAYED his protector in the an
nual visit to Philadelphia, where the
lawyer might be again advised With,
but i'm this new prospect of bOundless
adventure his sorrow was dimmed and
almost forgotten. He was well versed
in wOOdcraft and had become a fair
shot and the unusual yicissitudes
through which he had passed gave
him self-contidence and the ability to
take care of himself. which were
powerful considerations in determi-
ming Sammy John to consent to the
project now entered upon. 4 pur-
chaser was readily found for the store.
a trusty agent was dispatched to Phil
1sSSslDhia with the furs and peltries
and the proceeds Of the sale, arms and
clothing were caref1lfS overhauled
and one balmv day in May a little
company of volunteers, of whom Sam
my John and Angus were part,
struck into the trackless forest and
pursued course southwardly along
the foot of the Blue ridge to the Po-
tomac river, which they assembled to
Wills creek, where the army of Brad
dock lay encamped. Later, Fort Cum
berland was built upon the spot ani
now busy manufacturing city raises
its walls against the mountains there.
General BraddOck, experienced and
courageous soldier though he was,
was arrogant, perverse and bigoted,
with all confidence in European sold
iers and military methods and only
contempt for the rude and undrilled
forest rangers that constituted the
quota of provincial troops. Observ-
ing the self-opinionated air of the
commander, Sammy John soon be-
came apprehensive of the out
come of the projected invasion
of an Indian-infested country and
regretted that he had Yielded to the
impulse to take part, more ON the
lads account than on his own. In
early June, all being i'm readiness.
the march began There were two
thousand fighting men, the regulars
<.o,,,p,apJa1 h. Cir Dator IJa1I-o+ ord
Colonel Dunbar, the provincials led by
Washington, now a colonel. They
threw themselves boldly into the will
derness, intending TO make rapid adj
vance to the French stronghold only
hundred miles away, but Braddock
soon realized that even his
trained grenadiers could not force
the rugged ground OF an un-
broken American forest and he
was compelled to delay while axmen
by the hundred hewed and cleared
a way for his ponderous trains of USE
less baggage. From the first he trav-
eled blindly, seldom taking the trou-
BILE to reconnoiter the woods aud
thickets before him, and the nearer
he approached the enemy the more
negligent and fretful he became.
From the first he blundered badly, re-
jecting with impatience every attempt
of his officers to caution or advise
him. From the first he was doomed
to disaster by his own faulty conduct.
Ia all the ceaseless toll Of telling
trees, clearing away logs and brush,
heavy wagons over roots and
quagmires and ravines and
caring for the overworked and tired
horses. Angus Dravely bore his part.
He was amused at the alarms of the
regulars, who were unaccustomed to
the gloomy depths of the forest and lost
heart and courage as they continued
in it's vast and silent shade. And SO
they reached Little Meadows, to learn
that the French were expecting heavy
at DuQuesne. Ac-
twelve hundred men were !
hurried on in light marching order,
leaving the remainder under Col. Dun
nar m follow more SLOWLY with the