The Grit-advocate., 1906-06-29

with logs. On the morning OF the
Sd of July his scouts brought intelii-
genca of the advance of the French.
Meanwhile the French and indians,
under the command of Coulon de VAL
liers, had been holding grand po.v-
WOW at Fort Duquesne. The "F'ren.h
father" had supplied his children lib
orally with firearms and the whetu-
withal to eat and drink.
The braves after consuming several
oxen and drinking two barrels Of wiAe,
had expressed their willingness to
march against the English and drive
them across the Alleghenies.
De Villiers set out on this expesif-
tion. The way through the forest was
difficult one, and before they reached
Fort Necessity rain began to fall heap-
lily. But the French pressed on, AMI
before noon of the Sd of July they
were firing upon Washington's de-
fenses.
Their position was such, being upon
higher ground, on two slight elela-
tiOns, and we'll sheltered by trees, a:,d
bushes, that they could cross their
fire upon the fort and enfilade' a nor-
ton of it, without themselves being
exposed to much injury from the Eng
lish-
The rain continued all that day auJ
night but the combatants fought en-.
Washington's men stood knee-deep in
the mud and water. Twice the fusil-
aiding partially subsided, and besieeed
and beleaguered gaZed sullenly at eaca
other through the thin gauze of mist
and rain.
At little after nine o'clock in tina
evening the French commander called
out for a parley. Washington's fea.
Of trrachery led him to ignore the pro-
posal at first, but his position was 10
desperate that he complied tbs second
time.
CAPT. Vanbraam, Dutchman, the
only person in his troop who could
talk French, was sent to De Virlief'a
camp
After a long preliminary talk ths
Frenchman wrote his terms OF sur
render by the tiarins light of a pins
knot, the rain drops spathering upon
the PAPER and rendering the writing
almost illegible.
The terms permitted Washington
and MS men to, march out with tAa
hono:s of war, retaining their arms.
stores and baggage
Washington signed the paper ia-
tween midnight and one o'clock, and
the rest of the night passed quietly.
| - hn
At dawn Of the Fourth of July .ha
Great Meadows presented an animated
scene. The morning was fair, and tho
sun shone brightly over the darnp,
green forests and the lofty ridge cf
Laurel Hill
The horses and cattle belonging ia
the garrison had all been killed, aad.
burdened by the sick and wounded.
whom they carried on their backs, The
English were oblIsed to leave most II
their baggage and cannons behind.
Slowly they filed out of the fort and
began their slow and wearisome march
for Wills Creek, the nearest English
station, 81 miles over the Alleghenies.
Sad musr have been the heart Of
All his hopes Of military glory seemed
blighted in the bud, but whatever may
have been his feelings, no word OF
complaint or anger escaped his lips,
Without any doubt, however, it was
the darkest and most miserable morn
Ing In his life.
He could not foresee the future, but
on that other day. when the bell on
the state house at Philadelphia was
procaiming the Declaration of Inde-
pendence far and wide, and jubilant
crowds were shouting and throwing
up their hats at the glad tidings there
of. Washington must have thought OF
the time when he left the walls OF
Fort Necessity. defeated man and q
fugitive.-Golden Days.