Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1922-07-27
CHAPTER l
A Defeat and its Consequences

sS6SGSSSS&RUMS beating, flies playing,
$vS colors waving, bayonets gleam-
slR@E ing, the long line of brilliantly
s~0~ scarlet-coated soldiers passes
along the narrow road through the
forest, as though on some holiday pa
rade or review. Mounted officers, in
their gay uniforms, spur their steeds
to this point and that; the General in
command is there with his staff, in
all the dignity of military preeminence
and all the movements of this army,
on the march to give battle to the foe,
are executed with the exact precision
of perfect military discipline. Now
they reach and ford the river that
crosses their route, the beams of the
morning sun adding by their magic
touch to the brilliancy of the spectacle,
so unwonted in that forest wilder
ness. So inspiriting is the sight, that
the young Colonel Washington, there
as aide-de-campe, twas in raptures
with the scene, and often, in later
days, spoke of it as the most beauti-
full spectacle he had ever witnessed"
But that beauty was to be of short
duration. The river passed, they soon
ascend a rising ground, covered with
long grass and bushes, where the mar
row road is fanked by two ravines,
concealed by the dense growth of trees
and thickets. Then, suddenly, a quick
and heavy firing is heard in front.
All, General Braddock, had you but
needed the advice of the wise Frank
lin, and of Colonel Buckskin, as you
called him! For of this they had fore
warned you. You are caught in an
ambuscade of French and Indians,
and there is no escape. The terrific
yells of the Indians, and the incessant,
deadly volleys of the unseen foe,
throw the vanguard into confusion;
and although Braddock, with desper-
ate bravery, hurries to the front with
reinforcements, and for three terrible
hours vainly strives to rally his panic
stricken troops, and redeem the day, it
is only that, after having four horses
shot under him, he shall himself fall,
mortally wounded, on this 9th of July,
1855, and the small remnant of his
army, but few hours before so bril-
liant and beautiful in their military
pomp, shall retreat for their lives,
while hundreds of their comrades lie
dying or dead in the forest, to be
plundered and scalped by the exult-
ing savages, and the unfortunate gen.
eral himself shall be laid to rest in an
unknown grave by the roadside.
But where is Colonel Dunbar, with
the troops left under his command ?
Will he not advance and strive to
turn this sad and terrible defeat and
.out into victory? No: retreating to
Fort Cumberland, and then even to
Philadelphia, he leaves the whole
western frontier of Pennsylvania, Ma
.yland and Virginia unprotected, and
exposed to the ravages of the hostile
Indians, allied with the enemy.
Now, ye brave and hardy pioneers
settlers on the exposed frontiers, 4
dark and bloody day is about to
dawn upon your little log cabins and
cultivated fields, and threatens de-
struction to them, and death or cap
tivity to yourselves, your wives and
title ones. The cunning and cruel
savage will spare neither age nor sex
in his relentless warfare upon you, the
vanguard of civilization, that has been
advancing farther and farther into his
ancient hunting grounds.
Desolation widespread marks the
bloody track of his cruel, marauding
var parties. "The Delawares, false
% their treaty, almost ruin western
Pennsylvania. More than thou
sand people are killed or carried into
,aptivity." Shawnees, Delawares and
Mingoes ravage western Maryland
md Virginia, and slay many of the
,olonists. at was at the risk of life
hat any one ventured few rods
way from his door. Women visiting
heir sick neighbors were shot down
carried off; children bringing in
he cattle from the fields were toma-
.awked and scalped by the ambush
d murderers. The plantations were
.eing deserted and homes and property
lbandoned to plunder or the torch, and
Ill the remoter settlements were fast
,ecoming wilderness"
The young Colonel Washington, in
,mmand of a Virginia regiment, with
eadquarters at Winchester, harasseo
the want of sufficient support, and
seply panied by the scenes he wit
sssed, already shows the patriotic ano
humane spirit of the future Father OF
-v----.-------> ----------~~--- ,---s-T--s-----~'