Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1922-08-17
Thunon Frederick County, Maryland Thursday August IT,


chain of forts, but all of their posses
sions on this continent. With Gen.
eral Forbes in command well-equip-
ped army marched westward through
Pennsylvania, crossing the forest cov-
cred mountain ranges, cutting roads
and bridging rivers, until it halted at
Raystown, the present Bedford in Bed
ford county, where it was to be joined
by the Virginia troops encamped at
Cumberland, Md, under the command
of Colonel Washington.
All, brave leaders of your country
men, the fortunes of war, under the
direction of the Supreme Ruler of the
nations, are about to recompense you
for your former unsuccessful attempt
to wrest from the enemy the fortress
which they had constructed at that
point the stragetic importance of
which the eye of your military genius
had first noted, when on your haz-
ardous mission to General St. Pierre
at Erie,-and for the later disappoint-
ment involved in the defeat of Gem
eral Braddock, who would not listen
to your wise council! There will be no
need of Fort Necessity now; no need
of capitulation, because of the super
ior numbers and merciless tactics of
tho foe; no need of a retreat because
of the supercilious arrogance to the
commander, brave indeed, but unused
to the dangers of a campaign in Amer
ican forests which resulted in the an
initiation of his army and his own
untimely death and burial in an un-
known grave. Success is to crown
this expedition against Fort Duquesne
but this success is to be largely owing
to the confident courage of one who
was not man of war, but one of the
heralds of that "peace on earth" first
proclaimed by the angelic hosts an
nouncing the incarnation of the di-
vine Prince of Peace.
Appointed Agent of the Colonial
Government, Christian Frederic Post,
the intrepid Moravian missionary, has
been visiting the tribes that have been
hostile to the English, endeavoring to
induce them to lay down the hatchet,
and make treaty of peace. Arriving
at Kaskasking with small convoy
of soldiers from the army of General
Forbes, he is welcomed as a friend by
the Chiefs there assembled and his
message of peace is respectfully
heard. On it's return, the convoy
bearing letter from Post to the Cen
eral, is attacked by the French, the
lieutenant carrying the letter is taken
prisoner and the letter falls into their
hands. Craftily mistranslated into
the Indian language so as to Indicate
plot to massacre the Indians, it is TAX
en- by the French to Kaskasking and
for four days Posts life is in great
danger from the infuriated young war
riors. But the chiefs, who have pro-
tected him, insisting on seeing the
original letter, and finding just the op-
posite of the mistranslation in it, they
declare to Post their satisfaction and
friendship, and accept the proposals
of peace brought to them by him.
Afterwards, when the French come to
renew their alliance with the Indians,
not one will accept the belt they offer,
thus indicating that the alliance is at
an end. The mission of the fearless
agent of the Government has been
successful.
On the oath of November, Wash
ington, with the vanguard of Forbes
army, is within ten miles of Fort Du-
ouesne. That night the French gar
rison, knowing that a largo force is
threatening them, and that they can
hope for no aid from the I.:dians, as
heretofore, abandon the fort after set
ting it on fire and blowing up the mag
azine and retreat in boats down the
Ohio. The next day, November 25th,
1853, the victors take possession of
the ruins, raise new works, hoist the
English flag, and give to this import
ant stragetic point, where the Allie
ghany and Monongahela rivers unite
their waters to give birth to the Ohio,
the name "Fort Pitt" in honor of that
eminent British statesman whose Ell
ergetic support has infused new life
and vigor into the cause of England
and her American Colonies.
"The consequence of this success,
saws the historian, twas Immediately
seen by the disposition which the In
dams showed for peace. The from
tiers of Virginia and Maryland were
relieved from their incursionc, and at
a. Grand Council held at Easton, in
Pennsylvania, not only deputies OF the
Six Nations, but from their dependent
tribes. the Delawares and others, met
Sir William johnson and the Govern
ors of New York and New Jersey,
and solemn treaties of peace were en-
tered into"