The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1906-07-12

with logs On the morning of the
Sd of July his scouts brought intelli-
gence of the advance of the French.
Meanwhile the French and Indians,
under the command OF Coulon de VII
Tiers, had been holding a grand pow
WOW at Fort Duquesne. The French
father" had supplied his children lib
orally with firearms and the where
withal to eat and drink.
The braves after consuming several
oxen and drinking two barrels OF wine.
had expressed their willingness to
march against the English and drive
them across the Alleghenies.
De Villiers set out ON this expedi
ton. The way through the forest was
dificult one. and before they reached
Fort Necessity rain began to fall heav-
lily. But the French pressed on, and
before noon Of the Sd OF July they
were firing upon Washington's de-
lenses
Their position was such. being upon
higher ground, on two slight eleva-
lions. and well sheltered by trees and
bushes. that they could cross their
fire upon the fort and enfilade a por-
ton of it, without themselves being
exposed to much injury from the Eng
fish.
The rain continued all that day and
night, but the combatants fought ON.
Washingtons men stood knee-deep In
the mud and water. Twice the fusil-
aiding partially subsidized, and besieged
and beleaguered gazed sullenky at each
other through the thin gsuze of mist
and rain.
At little after nine o'clock in the
evening the French commander called
out for q parley Wsshingtons fear
OF treachsry led him to ignore the pro-
posal at nrst. but his position was 50
desperate that he complied the second
time.
Capt. Vanbraam. Dutchman, the
only person in his troop who could
talk French. was cent to De villisr's
camp.
/ After q long preliminary talk the
Frenchman wrote his terms OF sur
render by the farAg light OF q pine
3
the paper and rendering the writing
almost illegible
The terms permitted Washington
and his men to march out with the
honors OF war, retaining their arms,
stores and baggage.
Washington signed the paper be-
tween midnight and one o'clock, and
the rest of the night passed quietly,
though the men remained under arms
At dawn of the Fourth OF July the
Great Meadows presented an animated
scene. The morning was fair and the
sun shons brightly over the damp.
green forests and the lofty ridge Of
Laurel Hill.
The horses and cattle belonging 10
the garrison had all been killed. and
burdened by the sick and wounded
whom they carried on their backs. the
English were Obliged to leave most Of
their baggage and cannons behind.
Slowly they filed out Of the fort and
began their slow and weartsome march
for Wills Greek. the nearest English
station. So miles over the Alleghenies
Sad must have been the heart Of
Washington as he surveyed the scene
All mis- hopes Of military glory seemed
hlighted in the bud. but whatever may
have been his feelings. no word of
complaint or anger escaped his lips.
Without any doubt. however. Ii vas
the darkest and most miserable mora
lag In his life
He could not toresse the future. bat
on that other day. when the bell on
the state house at Philadelphia vas
proclaiming the Declaration Of hide
pendsnce far and vide. and jubilAnt
crowds were shouting and throwing
up their hats at the glad tidings there
OF. Washington must have thought OF
the time when be eft the walls OF
Fort Necessity. a defeated man ana .
fugitive Golden Days