White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1928-06-15
larss-..
CHAPTER III-Continued

II ''"%t VI N-i7t-
7 believed the French were whipped,
for had l not recently visited Duques-
ne and obtained full knowledge of the
forts weakness and the red mans
uneasiness? And yet there was some
thing in Croghan's talk, or way of
speaking, that left me depressed.
When he declared the French were
whipped, it almost seemed as If he
were dwelling upon it just to keep his
courage up.
But the morrow brought the van
guard of the FOrty-fourth, and the
entire regiment was in camp by mid
day. Then came General Braddock
and his escort of lighthouse, and the
drums began the "Grenadiers' March,"
and the scene was gay and very COL
orful. forgot my gloomy mood and
huzzahed with the best of them. Two
hours later, Colonel Dunbar and the
FOrty-efghth marched in, and there
was more cheering and high spirits.
Now 1t did seem as If we soon could
be about the business of driving the
French behind the Great lakes. The
artillery, however did not come up
and would not for another ten days
but what odds? Braddock was with
us with his two invincible regiments.
Even though their uniforms made
them conspicuous targets, the French
were too weak to oppose them. All
that remained was to march swiftly
to Duquesne and fly our royal banner
in place of the Lilies.
Then we would Shift our strength
to the north and capture Niagara and
Crown Point, and teach the New Eng
landers how to fight. Only hun
bred and fifty miles remained to be
covered before Frances grip on the
Ohio would be forever removed. All,
but now we were in fine spirits those
first few days after Braddock reached
the creek. His very austerity was
guarantee of complete success. The
colonies were confident the fall of the
enemy was but matter of days.
Braddock had arranged to send
back the latest news by means of
mounted expresses. And every Thurs
day western-bound mail-rider was
to start from Philadelphia to over.
take the army. l could vision the
arrival of our express and the enthu-
siasm our bulletins would arouse
when read aloud at every hostel.
And much good news was brought
by Braddock and his staff. large
delegation of Catawbas and Chero-
KEGS were to meet men from the Long
House at Winchester and provide US
with an overwhelming red force. The
Catawbas alone were to send US
hundred and fifty warriors. AS re-
suit of the Winchester council our
camp would be overrun with red al.
lies.
But no Indians came to join US.
CrOghan's belts to the lake tribes
brought us neither Shawnee, Twight.
wee, Wandot or Piankashaw. But,
while trit1e disappointed, 1t really
did not matter. If they would not
fight with US then surely they would
not fight against us. They were sim.
ply waiting until 1t was definitely de-
cided who was to be the winner. II
they refused to participate In active
warfare, then so much the less would
our efforts be to smooth them down.
The French were whipped. We needed
no Indians to aid us. To the inspiring
tune of the "Grenadiers March, white
men would GUST white men from Du.
Quesne. and the heads of the Ohio
would forever be sealed against the
French.
Cromit had intended to enlist as
soldier, but had changed his mind
after watching the provincials at
their drill, and became wagner
Round Paw and wandered about the
camp unattached, enjoying the lively
scenes A few wagons, drawn by four
horses each, began to come in. Our
ardor might have been dampened If
not for the promise made by Mr..
Franklin. We looked to him for the
necessary supply of horses. wagon
and pack. aud stout vehicles
The ten days delay In the arrival
of the artillery was one cloud in our
sky, for If 1t moved so slowly in max.
ing the creek what would he its rate
of progress once 1t attempted the raw
wilderness road now being construct.
ed? To expedite the road we must
lay down, St Clair and Major Chap
man, of the Forty -fourth, marched
with six hundred men to smooth the
way to the Little meadows on the
YoughiOgeny. some thirty miles dis
tant from Fort Cumberland. When
we marched 1t would be in three di.
visions, under Halket, young Horatio
Gates and Dunbar.