The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1932-08-12

ceeding 300), we prepared for our defense in
the best manner could by throwing up a
small entrenchment, which we had not time
to perfect before sentinel gave notice, about
II o'clock of their approach, by firing his piece,
which he did, at the enemy, and, as we learned
afterward, killed three of their men, on which
they began to fire upon us, at about 600 yards
distance but without effect; we Immediately
called all our men to their arms and drew up
In order before our trenches, but as we looked
upon this distant fire of the enemy only as an
artifice to intimidate. or draw fire from u.s.
we waited their nearer approach before we re-
turned their salute.
They then advanced in very irregular man.
ner to another point of woods, about 60 yards
off, and from thence made second discharge;
upon which, finding they had no intention of
attacking us in the open field, we retired into
our trenches and still reserved our fire, as we
expected from their great superiority of num-
bers that they would endeavor to force our
trenches, but finding they did not seem to in
tend this either, the colonel gave orders to fire.
which was done with great alacrity and
dauntedness.
1--WE continued this unequal fight, with an
enemy sheltered behind the trees, ourselves
without shelter, in trenches full of water, in a
settled rain, and the enemy calling us on all
sides necessarily from the woods till o'clock
From the great mprobability that such a vast
ly superior force and possessed of such an ad-
vantage would offer a parley first we suspected
a deceit and therefore refused to consent that
they should come among us; on which they
desired us to send an officer to them and en-
gage their parole for his safety. We then sent
Captain Van Braam and Mr. Peyronee to receive
their proposals. which they did, and about mid
night we agreed that each side should retire
xxyifh cfofta hon 60 AIos.
Monongahela, and we to Wills Creek; that we
should march away with all the honors of war
and with all our stores, effects and baggage
Accordingly, the next morning. with our drums
beating and our colors flying we began our
march in good order, with our stores, etc. in
convoy; but we were interrupted by the arrival
of a reinforcement of 100 Indians among the
French, who were hardly restrained from at
lacking us and did us considerable damage by
pilfering our baggage.
ave then proceeded, but soon found it neces-
sary to leave our baggage and stores; the great
scarcity of our provisions obliged us to use
the utmost expedition, and having neither wag-
ons nor horses to transport them. The enemy
had deprived us of all our creatures, by killing,
in the beginning of the engagement, our horses,
cattle and every living thing they could, even to
the very dogs.
''The number of killed on our side was 80,
and 70 wounded; among the former was Lieu
tenant MERCER, of Captain Mackays independ-
ent company, gentleman of true military worth,
and whose bravery would not permit him to re-
tire, though dangerously wounded. till a second
shot disabled him and a third put an end to his
life, as he was being carried to the surgeon. Our
men behaved with singular intrepedity, and we
determined not to ask for quarter, but with our
bayonets fixed to sell our lives as dearly as
possibly we could. From the numbers of the en-
envy, and our situation we could not hope for
victory, and from the character of those we had
to encounter, we expected no mercy, but on
terms that we positively resolved not to sub
NIT to. The number killed and wounded of the
enemy is uncertain"
In the articles of capituation, submitted by
De Villiers which Washington signed, was one
word which was to prove to be diplomatic dy-
Mantle" 1t referred to the prisoners taken by
Washington dams rassassinat du Sieur de Ju-
knoxville" The terms Of capitulation were trans.