The Newtown bee., 1904-10-14

l have never seen man Wuo Coulu describe what took place in the midst of a battle, nor can I pretend to greater accuracy. remember that after an hour or more became suddenly sure that all was lost. The whole dis ordered mass now broke and ran as sheep before hounds, leaving artillery, provisions, baggage, and the wounded and dying-in short, everything. When finally a dozen gallant officers threw themselves in front they were knocked down and trampled. We had as little success as if we had attempted to stop the wild bears of the noun tains, or torrents, with our feet. It was quite useless.
 At this time Gen Braddock was under 8 great oak near to where we left the wagons. Twas beside him and heard him cry out, "They have got me-" Captain Stewart, of the Virginia light guard, caught him as he reeled in the saddle, shot through the right arm and lung. The men ran past us refusing to help; but another officer aiding us, he was somehow got on to a tumbrel and was carried along in what was now a mad flight to get to the ford. heard him cry out, "Let me alone! Let me die here!"
 The wagoners in our rear near the ford cut loose the traces and mounted their horses and fled. In spite of the immense courage shown by the officers, who in camp were drunken or seemed to be effeminate or lazy all who were of mind to resist were swept away by a mere mob of panic-stricken men. Men caught on to my stirrups, and even the horses mane, but somehow got free and out to one side. Instantly my second horse staggered and went down I saw Dr Craik near by, with the ut. most devotion, though himself wound ed, helping disabled officer to walk away. I was now.afoot, and as I saw how complete was the rout, began to fear that our brave Virglnians would none of them escape. They held the fringe of woods with wonderful cour- age, using their rifles, and keeping back the French and Indians. Noth- ing else saved the troops of His Majesty from mcomplete massacre.
 As stood still a moment I heard Croghan call loudly to me to take to cover. took his advice, and God alone knows how I escaped death. I had four balls through my clothes.
 The leaders of the rangers now saw how great was their peril. The regu- lars were by this time near the ford, in the river, or across it. A few brave men in groups were retreating slowly, firing useless shots. The enemy, yell ing in triumph, were crawling or leap ing nearer from time to time. Now and then a painted savage ran out from cover and fled back, shaking a bloody scalp.
 The rangers had lost heavily, but those who were left slipped from one shelter to another, and at last, when there was little cover left, ran down to the river, and with them. Few would have got away except flor lthe desire of the Indians to plunder the dead and the baggage and to collect scalps, and that the French were toe few in number to venture on pursuit
 I got over the ford in haste, and standing still on the rise of ground be- yond the river looked at my watch. could hardly believe it to be as I saw 5 5o'clock. Most of those who were un hurt were now safe, and with Capt Croghan I began to gather the wreck of our poor rangers. One company was almost all gone; another lost eve ry officer and many men. AS to the regulars, 700, nearly half of the force were dead or wounded. A part o1 what was left of this fine army was