and and the ministry thinking the colonies alone too weak to repel the enemy, hurried on General Braddock, with two heavy regiments, to their aid. This reinforcement arrived early in the spring o 1755. Leaving them at the Capes on their way up to Belle-haven,(now ALEXANDRIA,) Braddock called at Williamsburgh, to see Governor Dinwiddie, who attended him to Alexandria.

"Where is Colonel Washington ?" said General Braddock. "I long to see him."

"He is retired from the service, Sir,” replied the Governor.

"Retired! Sir!" 'continued the General, "Colonel Washington retired! pray, Sir, what's the rea

son ?"

On hearing the cause, he broke into a passion against the order from the war-office as a shameful piece of partiality-and extolled Colonel Washington as a young man of sense and spirit, who knew and asserted his rights as became a soldier and a British subject."

He then wrote to Washington, whom he pressingly invited to join his army, and accept the rank of a volunteer aid-de-camp in his own family. This invitation was cheerfully accepted by our young countryman, who waited on General Braddock as soon as he heard of his arrival at Alexandria. About the same time, three companies of excellent Virginia marksmen, raised by order of the Legislature, ar rived at the British camp.

IT was in the month of June 1755, that the army, upwards of 2000 strong, left Alexandria; and, with their faces to the west, began their march to the mournful ditty of" over the hills and für away." On the route Washington was taken sick; and by the time they had reached the Little Meadows, had be⚫come so very ill, that Braddock, at the instance of the physicians, insisted most peremptorily that he should lie by until Colonel Dunbar with the rear of the army came up.

With great reluctance he yielded to

their wishes. But so great were his fears for the army, lest in those wild woods it should fall into some Indian snare, that the moment his fever left him, he 'mounted his horse, and pursued, and overtook them the very evening before they fell into that ambuscade which he had all along dreaded. For the next morning, the 9th of July, when they were safely arrived within seven miles of Fort Duquesne! and so confident of success, that their general swore he would that night sup either in Fort Duquesne or in the lower regions-behold, the Virginia Rangers discovered signs of Indians.

HERE Washington, with his usual modesty, observed to General Braddock what sort of an enemy he had now to deal with-an enemy who would not, like the Europeans, come forward to a fair contest in the field, but, concealed behind the rocks and trees, carry on a deadly warfare with their rifles. He concluded with these words, " I beg of your excellency the honour to allow me to lead on with the Virginia Riflemen, and fight them in their own way."

HAD it been decreed that this hapless army should have been saved, this was the counsel to have effected it. But it would seem, alas! that Heaven had or Jained their fall in that distant land; and there with their flesh to fatten the wolves and vultures on the hills of Monongahela. For General Braddock, who had all along treated the American officers with infinite contempt, rejected Washington's counsel, and swelling with most unmanly rage, replied, " High times, by High times! when a young Buckskin can teach a British General how to fight!" Instantly the pale, fever-worn cheeks of Washington turned fiery red. But smothering his feelings, he rode towards his men, biting his lip with grief and rage, to think how many brave fellows would draw short breath that day through the pride and obstinacy of one epauletted madman. Formed in heavy co-lumns the troops continued to advance. A little beyond the Monongahela, was a narrow defile, through which lay their road, with moss-grown rocks on ei

ther side, and aged trees that spread an awful shade. Here, in perfect concealment, the French and Indians lay, waiting impatiently for this devoted army. Too soon, alas! the army came up ; and, entering the defile, moved along in silence, like sheep to the slaughter, little dreaming how close the bloody fates hovered around them. Thinking their prey now completely in their clutches, all at once, the Indians set up the most hideous yells, as if the woods were filled with ten thousand panthers. This they did, both as a terror to the British, and a signal to attack; for in the same moment they poured in a general fire, which instantly covered the ground with death in every hideous shape. Some were seen sinking pale and lifeless at once, giving up the ghost with only a hollow groan-others rolling on the earth, convulsed and shrieking in the last agonies, while life and life's warm blood together gushed in hissing torrents from their breasts. Such sights of their bleeding comrades, had the enemy but been in view, instead of depressing would but have inflamed British blood with fiercer thirst for vengeance. But, alas! to be thus entrapped in a dreary wild! to be thus pent up, and shot from behind rocks and trees, by an invisible enemy, was enough to dismay the stoutest hearts. Their native valour, however, and confidence in themselves, did not at once forsake them. But, animated by their officers, they stood their ground, and for a considerable time fought like heroes. But seeing no impression made by their fire, while that of the enemy, heavy as at first, with fatal flashes continued to cut down their ranks, they at length took a panic, and fell into great confusion. Happily, on the left, where lay the deadliest fire, Washington's rangers were posted; but not exposed like the British. For, on hearing the horrible savage yells, in a moment they flew each to his tree, like the Indians; and like them, each levelled his rifle, and with as deadly aim. This, through a kind Providence, saved Braddock's army; for exulting in their confusion, the sa

vages, grimly painted, yelling like furies, burst from their coverts, eager to glut their hellish rage with a total massacre of the British. But, faithful to their friends, Washington's rangers stepped forth with joy to meet the assailants. Then rose a scene sufficient to fill the stoutest heart with horror. Burning alike for vengeance, both parties throw aside the slowmurdering rifles, and grasp their swift-fated tomahawks. Dreadfully above their heads gleams the brandished steel, as with full exerted limbs, and faces all inflamed with mortal hate, they level at each other their last decisive blows. Death rages through all their fast-thinning ranks-his bleeding victims are rolled together on every side. Here falls the brave

Virginia Blue, under the stroke of his nimbler foeand there, man on man the Indians perish beneath the furious tomahawks, deep buried in the shattered brain. But who can tell the joy of Washington, when he saw this handful of his despised countrymen thus gallantly defending their British friends, and by dint of mortal steel driving back their bloodthirsty assailants. Happy check! for by this time, covered with wounds Braddock had fallen-his aids and officers, to a man, killed or wounded-and his troops, in hopeless, helpless despair, flying backwards and forwards from the fire of the Indians, like flocks of crowding sheep from the presence of their butchWashington alone remained unhurt! Horse after horse had been killed under him. Showers of bullets had touched his locks or pierced his regimentals. But still protected by Heaven-still supported by a strength not his own, he had continued to fly from quarter to quarter, where his presence was most needed, sometimes animating his rangers; sometimes striving, but in vain, to rally the regulars. "Fwas his lot to be close to the brave but imprudent Braddock when he fell and he assisted to place him in a tumbril, or little cart. As he was laid down, pale and near spent, with loss of blood, he faintly said to Washing

ers.

ton-

Well Colonel what's to be done nou?"