The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1907-03-28

remnant of the army fled in dis
may.
The dying commander was borne
along with the retreating army
over the same route which the
troops had taken, through what is
now the center of Fayette county,
and in the evening of the 18th he
breathed his last and was buried
in what was known as Old Orchard
camp. The grave of the general
is now one of the most cherished
historical places of Fayette county.
In the year 1880 a laborer in
digging a post hole for the con-
struction of new fence, discover
ed shining object at distance of
two and half feet under the sur
face, in the neighborhood of fine
spring, and not a great distance
from the route Of Braddock's re-
treating army. He brought the
article to Uniontown and offered
it for sale. To his surprise he
learned that it was part of a gold
watch case, for which he gladly
accepted the offer made to him.
The watch case is fine speci-
men of the engraver's skill and
illustrates the legend of the
Judgment of Paris" Paris is
represented in a sitting posture.
With his right hand he is present
ing the golden apple to Venus,
who stands before him. Beneath
his feet are the figures of dog
and culver of arrows. Between
Paris and Venus is the figure of
Cupid. In the rear of Venus are
the figures of Hera and Athens,
the rivals of Venus. The owl, the
helmet. the shield and two pea
fowls are also representated.
This watch lid was exhibited at
the Columbian Exposition at Chi
cago, in 1898, where it elected
much admiration as work of art.
In one of the folds it bears the
name of the engraver, George
Michael Moser, renowned as an
English enameler. Moser was
born in Schaffhausen, Switzerland,
about 1905, and died in England,
Jan. %, 1888. He excelled in his
profession, had a universal knowl-
edge in all branches of painting
and sculpture and may truly be
said IN every sense to have been
the father of the present race of
artists. He was an original men,
Der of the Royal Academy, and
for many years keeper of that in
stitution.
AS to the proof that this watch
lid was at one time the property
of the unfortunate British general,
the following is adduced; General
Braddock, as before stated, receiv-
ed fatal wound on the field of
battle and was borne along with
his retreating army. Terror
stricken, the wagoners had cut
their horses loose and fled, aud
from fear that the yelling savages
were in close pursuit the utmost
confusion prevailed, and the whole
route of the retreat was strewn
with lost and castaway articles
and implements of war.
Among the lost articles was
doubtless the watch of the wound
ed general, which dropped from his
pocket as he was being carried
toward the encampment of Col.
Dunbar, on the crest of Laurel
Hill The location in which this
watch was found indicates that the
watch had been picked up on the
route by one of the retreating
soldiers, who, believing that in
case in was found in his possession
he might be shot or severely pun.
ished, concluded to hide it near a
spring until he returned to recover
it, which he never had the oppor-
tunity of doing.
When the watch case was found
the movement was already corrod-
ed, signifying that the timepiece
had been subjected to the action
of the elements for long period.
AS the time this watch must have
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