The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1913-05-06

befogged and bewildered off the coast.
The colonies were to see fighting on
a new scale.
The English ministers, with whom
just then all things went either by
favor or by accident, had made a
sorry blunder in the choice of a
commander
Major General Edward Braddock,
whom they had commissioned to take
the two regiments out and act as COM
mander-in-chief in America, was a
brave man, a veteran soldier, bred in
thorough school of action, a man
quick with energy and indomitable
in resolution; but every quality he
had untitled him to learn. Self-confi-
Cent, brutal; headstrong, "a very Iro-
quois in disposition" he would take
neither check nor suggestion. But en-
ergy, resolution, good soldiers and a
proper equipment might of them
selves suffice to do much in the crisis
that had come, whether wisdom held
the reins or not; and it gave the Old
Dominion thrill of quickened hope
and purpose to see Keppel's trans
ports in the Potomac and Braddocks
redcoats ashore at Alexandria
Troops Move Up the Potomac.
The transports, as they made their
way slowly up the river, passed be-
meath the very windows of Mount Yer
non, to put the troops ashore only
eight miles beyond. Washington had
Loft off
but he had resigned only to avoid an
intolerable indignity, not to shun
service, and he made no pretense of
Indifference when he saw the red
coats come to camp at Alexandria.
Again and again was he early in the
saddle to see the stir and order of the
troops, make the acquaintance of the
officers, and learn, if he might, what
it was that fitted his majesty's regu-
lars for their stern business.
The self-confident gentlemen who
wore his majesty's uniform and car
ried his majesty's commissions in
their pockets had scant regard, most
of them, for the raw folk of the col
ony, who had never been in London or
seen the set array of battle. They
were not little impatient that they
must recruit among such a people.
The transports had brought but a
thousand men-two heterogeneous of
five hundred each, whose colonies had
instructions to add two hundred men
apiece to their force in the colony
Six companies of rangers" too, the
colonists were to furnish, and one
company of light horse, besides car
penters and teamsters. By all these
General Braddock's officers set small
store, deeming it likely they must
depend, not upon the provincials. but
upon themselves for success. They
were at small pains to conceal their
hearty contempt for the people they
had come to help.
Washington Social Favorite.
But with Washington it was a diff
ferent matter.
There was that in his proud eyes
and gentleman's bearing that marked
him a man to be made friends with
and respected. A good comrade he
proved, without pretense or bravado,
but an i'll man to scorn, as he went
his way among them, 1.-THE and alert,
full six feet in his boots, with that
strong gait as of a backwoodsnan,
and that naughty carriage as Of
man born to have his will. He won
their liking. and even their admira-
ton, as fellow of their own pride
and purpose
General Braddock. knowing he de-
sired to make the campaign II he
might do so without sacrifice of self
respect, promptly invited him to 20 rs
q memper Of his staff where there