"Retreat, Sir," replied Washington: "retreat by all means; for the Regulars won't fight: and the Rangers are nearly all killed!" "Poor fellows!" he replied, "poor fellows!Well, do as you will, Colonel, do as you will." THE army then commenced its retreat, in a very rapid and disorderly manner, while Washington with his few surviving rangers, covered the rear. HAPPILY, the Indians did not pursue them far: but after firing a few random shots, returned in a body, to fall upon the plunder; while Washington, with his frightened fugitives continued their retreat, sadly remembering that more than one half of their morning's gay companions were left a prey to the ravening beasts of the desert. There, denied the common charities of the grave, they lay for many a year bleaching the lonely hills with their bones, On reaching Fort Cumberland, where they met Colonel Dunbar with the rear of the army, General Braddock died. He died in the arms of Washington, whose pardon he often begged for having treated him so rudely that fatal morning-heartily wished, he said, he had but followed his advice-frequently called his rangers "brave fellows! glorious fellows !" Often said, he should be glad to live if it was oniy to reward their gallantry! I have more than once been told, but cannot vouch for the truth of it, that his sister, on hearing how obstinately Washington and his Blues had fought for her brother, was so affected that she shed tears: and sent them from England handsome cockades, according to their number, and a pair of colours elegantly wrought by her own fair hands. WITH respect to Washington, I cannot but mention here two very extraordinary speeches that were made about him, after Braddock's defeat, and which, as things have turned out, look a good deal like prophecies. A famous Indian warrior, who acted a leading part in that bloody tragedy, was often heard to swear, that "Washington was never born to be killed by a bullet! For," continued he " I had seventeen fair fires at him with my rifle, and after all could not bring him to the ground!" And indeed whoever considers that a good rifle levelled by a proper marksman, hardly ever misses its aim, will readily enough conclude with this unlettered savage, that there was some invisible hand that turned aside the bullets. THE Rev'd Mr. Davies, in a sermon occasioned by Braddock's defeat, has these remarkable words"I beg leave to point the attention of the public to that heroic youth Colonel Washington, whom I cannot but hope Providence has preserved for some great service to this country!!" BUT though the American writers have pretty unanimously agreed, that Washington was, under God, the saving Angel that stood up between Braddock's army and total destruction, yet did it profit him but little with his-sovereign. The British officers indeed admired him: but they had no idea of going any farther: "To tell in Gath, or publish in the streets of Askalon" that a British army owed its safety to a young Buckskin, required a pitch of virtue and of courage above ordinary minds. Washington was therefore kept in the back ground; and General Braddock being dead, the command devolved upon Colonel Dunbar, whose conduct proved him to be one of those pusillanimous hirelings, who flee when the wolf cometh. To attempt, by some gallant effort to recover what Braddock had lost, or to hang upon the enemy, and prevent, at least, those numerous scalping parties, which distracted with midnight murders and deluged the defenceless frontiers with biood, were brave and generous ideas, of which he seemed incapable. But, trembling under the general panic, he instantly ordered the tents to be struck; and pushing off under the whip and spur of his fears, never halted until he had reached Philadel phia; where he went, as he called it, into winter quarters, (in the beginning of the dog-days!) leaving all the frontiers of Maryland and Virginia exposed to the merciless tomahawk. SUCH facts ought to be recorded for the benefit of young men, who, with no military qualifications but big limbs, can yet covet red coats and shoulder-knots. BEING thus shamefully deserted by Colonel Dunbar, Washington with his thirty rangers, set out with sorrowful hearts to return home. But before he left Fort Cumberland, he dispatched an express, to inform Governor Dinwiddie, that "General Braddock was slain-his army totally defeated the remnant on their march to Philadelphia and the whole frontier given up to the Indians!" The consternation that was spread throughout the country by this news, was inexpressible. Heart-sickening terrors, as of a woman in labour, seized upon all families and a frightened fancy found food for its fears in every thing around it-the blast whistling round the corners of their cabin, alarmed, like the yell of murderous savages-the innocent death-bell the croaking raven-the midnight howl of dogs were all sure harbingers of fate. While, for dread of the Indians, the roads were filled with thousands of distracted parents, with their weeping little ones, flying from their homes. THE GOVERNOR instantly ordered a call of the Legislature, who, by the time Washington reached Williamsburgh, were assembled, and, together with numbers of citizens, went out and met him near the town. THE interview was tender. For the citizens were almost moved to tears, when they saw that of so many of their brave countrymen who went forth to battle, only this little handful remained! They were exceedingly rejoiced to see, alive and well, their beloved Washington. He had always been dear to them; but now doubly dear, in such times of danger. They mourned the misfortunes of their country; but laid no blame to him. On the contrary, it was universally believed, that, but for him the ruin would have been complete. "Braddock," said they, " lost the victory: but Washington saved the army." E CHAPTER VII. Fatal effects of Braddock's defeat-Washington wishes to carry the war into the Indian country-government refuses-defensive war preferred-the frontiers desolated. GREAT was the joy at Fort Duquesne on the return of their troops from the slaughter of Braddock's army. The idea of victory, as appeared afterwards, had never once entered their heads. They had gone out just to reconnoitre, and harass the British in their approach! How unbounded then must have been the joy of the garrison, on seeing their friends come back next morning, not sad and spiritless, as had been expected, but whooping and shouting for a glorious victory; and enriched with the artillery, ammunition, provisions, and baggage-waggons of a British army cut to pieces!! THE French commandant took care to make a proper use of his advantage; for as soon as the days of savage feasting and drunkenness were over, he sent out deputations of his chiefs with grand-talks to several of the neighbouring tribes, who had not yet lifted the hatchet. The tribes being assembled, and the calumet or pipe of friendship smoked around, the chiefs arose; and in all the pomp of Indian eloquence announced their great victory over Long Knife (the Virginians) and his white brothers, (the British)-then with a proud display of the numerous scalps and rich dresses which they had taken, they concluded with inviting the young men to unbury the tomahawk, and rush with them to drink the blood of their enemies. THIS was enough" Grinning horribly a ghastly smile," at such prospects of blood and plunder, the grim children of the desert, rose up at once to war. No time was lost in preparation. A pouch of parch |