Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-07-13
BRADDOCK BATTLE
MONUMENTAL|zED
Virginia RifIemen Lauded as
Washington Statue Is
Unveiled.

Another monument to George WASH
mgton, commemorating one of the no.
table events of his military career, now
marks battlefield where he was most
conspicuous
In celebration Of the 175th anniver-
sary of the battle of Fort Duuuesne,
scene of Gen. Braddock's death and
tragic defeat, bronze statue Of the
hero was unveiled last Thursday on
the field where history records ALI that
was saved on that bloody day of July
3, 1755, was saved by Washington and
the Virginia Riflemen."
The little town OF Braddock, Pa,
was host on tlG recent occasion to a
large gathering of Pennsylvanians and
Virglnians besides members of the
commission appointed during the pres
ent session OF Congress to represent the
Government at this historic anniver-
sary event. Members of the commits
sion were Secretary of the Treasury
Mellon, whose home Is nearby in Pitts
burg; Senator Reed of Pennsylvania,
Senator Tydings of Maryland, Repre-
sentative Henry w. Temple of Penn
sylvania and Representative r. Walton
Moore Of Virginia.
Life-Size Statue Unveiled.
The exercises, which were elaborate
and striking, included a pageant in the
town of Braddock the evenings of July
and 9, a parade in the town Thurs
day afternoon. which was reviewed by
members of the commission, and by
unwilling of the life-siZed statue of the
young Virginia officer.
Representative M. Clyde Kelly of
Pennsylvania presided at the dedica-
ton, and the great crowd that wit
10 ,Naa
Secretary Mellon; Mr.. Michael Wright,
representing the British Ambassador;
Mrs Lowell Fletcher Hobart, president
general of the Daughters Of the Ameri-
can Revolution, and Chief War Eagle,
representing Indian tribes who opposed
Braddock'S Inflated army. That eve
ming large banquet was held at the
William Penn Hotel in Pittsburg. at
which Secretary Mellon again spoke,
and also Mrs. Hobart; Representative
Harry A. EStep of Pennsylvania, Repre-
sentative Temple and Representative
Moore. Mr.. Kelly was POSTMASTER.
Mr.. Moore's appointment to the
commission doubtless was due to the
fact that his district in Virginia in
cludeS the county of Fairfax, where
Gen. Washington resided, his home at
Mount Vernon, and Alexandria, whence
the forces of Gen. Braddock departed
D. L
gerous march that resulted in one Of
the most sanguinary battles ever fought
on American soil.
The recent celebration at Braddock
Is of particular personal interest to
many residents in Fairfax and Alexan-
dria and what is now Arlington County,
Va, descendants of the brave riflemen
who with Washington. saved the Brit
Ash force from humiliation.
Gallant Colonialists Lauded.
In his address at the banquet in
which Representative Moore gave the
history CT Braddock's campaign. he paid
tribute to other gallant Colonialists
there on that day of horror, followed by
q night of pain or darkness who in the
years to come played fine part in the
struggle for American independence.
Horatio Gates and Daniel Morgan were
there, who fought at Saratoga in the
victory over Burgoyne which led to
France being drawn to the support Of
the Revolution Hugh Mercer was
there, who fell in the battle of Prince
ton. DR.. James Craik was there, who
throughout his life was more intimate
than any other with the man whom he
held in his arms as he lay dying at
Mount Vernon.
In his work as statesman and
soldier" said Mr.. Moore, Washington
was more identified with Pennsylvania
and Virginia than with any other To-
cality. Serving under a Virginia COM
mission in this portion of Pennsylvania
then claimed by Virginia as a part of
its Augusta County, he began at the
age of % to show his military skill in
the affair at Fort Necessity, and in the
engagement with the French previous
to that within short distance of the
fort, Of which an authentic historian
says: For, judge it as we may, this
obscure skirmish began the war which
set the world on fire. the reference
being to the seven years war in Europe.
In the next year, as an aide to Brad
dock. although worn by sickness, he was
a striking figure in the tragic battle of
which this is the anniversary"
Braddock, upon landing In America,
had his headquarters at Alexandria and
there. in the Carlyle house, which still
stands, a meeting of several of the gov
errors was held in the Spring of 1855.
Governor Morris of Pennsylvania, a
member of Mr.. Moores maternal family,
was one of the conferees. A monument
in Alexandria marks the point of the
departure of Braddock's force on April
8 and 9, exactly four months in ad-
vance of the battle.
1T will not be denied that Braddock
had capacity and undaunted courage"
said Mr.. Moore in his address, cor that
he conducted the expedition to the
Monongahela River with real success.
Washington, as he watched the army
as it was about to cross the river, the
officers and the men in their best uni
forms, their arms FURNISHED, and the
band playing as If it were dress
parade, said he had never seen so beau
tlful a sight"
Braddock Died CourapeousIv.
Braddock, brave soldier, was the
victim of his infirmities of temper and
his arrogance and obStinacy He
eStranged some of his own officers and
he had no conception of cultivating
friendly relations with the Indians. He
was Indifferent to the advice of Benja-
min Franklin, Mr.. Moore pointed out,
who had warned him against exactly
such an ambuscade as proved his ruin
He took counsel with those whom