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into the forest, leaving General Braddock to his fate.

This was only one of the many serious blunders which Braddock made. Braddock, however, was no more prone to err than a majority of the regular army officers, whose chief knowledge of warfare is gained from camp training and discipline. History has frequently proved to the world that the volunteer troops are more efficient than regulars. They are more practical, knowing nothing of that ideal of exact discipline and technical punctillio. The regular, who does everything by certain rules, frequently finds occasions where discipline will not apply so well as the practical common sense of the volunteer, who meets an emergency without measuring it by some fixed principles of war or military tactics.

On the 19th of June, Braddock's first division set out, with less than thirty carriages, including those that transported ammunition for the artillery all strongly horsed. The Indians marched with the advanced party. In the course of the day, Scarooyadi and his son, being a little distance from the line of march, were surrounded by some French and Indians and made prisoners. The son escaped and brought intelligence to his warriors. Hastening to rescue or avenge the chief, they found him tied to a tree. The French had been

disposed to shoot him; but their savage allies declared they would abandon them if they did so, as they had some friendship or kindred with the chief. This is not the first instance on record where the savage has been more humane than the white man. The chief was left tied to a tree and was thus found by his son.

George Washington, instead of growing better, became worse, and they were finally forced to leave him behind. At his request, Noah Stevens was also left as commander of the guard with him. Washington was under the care of Dr. Craig, until the arrival of Colonel Dunbar's detachment, which was two days later.

During Washington's absence, three British regulars, loitering behind the army, were killed and scalped by the Indians. A score of grenadiers set out to avenge their friends, and, coming upon the party of Scarooyadi, fired upon them and killed the chief's son. When the mistake was discovered, the general regretted it very much and had the young sachem buried with all the honors of war.

Washington was still sick and weak, when, on the 8th of July, he reached Braddock's camp. The general was stubbornly, and we might say recklessly, pushing forward with the determination. to attack Fort Du Quesne, and, when Washington

reached his camp, he was on the east side of the Monongahela and about fifteen miles from the fort.

The sick colonel was warmly rceived on his arrival, especially by his fellow aides-de-camp, Morris and Orme.

"You are just in time to see a nice piece of work done, my boy," said Major Bridges, on seeing Washington in the camp. "To-morrow we are go

ing to attack Fort Du Quesne."

"Is everything ready?"

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Certainly," cried the major, who seated himself on a saddle at the root of a tree. "I attended to

it myself."

"Have you reconnoitred the neighboring country and determined on the plan of attack?"

"All done all done," cried the major, with a wave of the hand, as if that single gesture settled everything. “I will lead the advance if necessary.” "Have you no fears of the French and Indians?" "French and Indians!" cried the major with evident disgust. "Do you imagine that a British regular will ever be afraid of a few French and heathen? No; wait until you see me lead the assault against the fort."

The fort was on the same side of the Monongahela with the camp; but there was a narrow pass between them, about two miles in length, with the river on the left and a very high mountain on the

right, which, in its present state, was quite impassible for vehicles. Consequently Braddock determined to cross the Monongahela by a ford in front of the camp, proceed along the west bank of the river for about five miles, then recross by another ford to the eastern side and push on to the fort. At these fords the river was shallow, and the banks were not steep.

According to the plan of arrangement, Lieutenant-Colonel Gage, with the advance, was to cross the river before daybreak, march to the second ford, and, re-crossing there, take post to secure the passage of the main force. The advance was composed of two companies of grenadiers, one hundred and sixty infantry, the independent company of Captain Horatio Gates, and two sixpounders.

"What do you think of the plan?" asked Major Bridges of Colonel Washington.

Washington, who had already seen enough of the regular troops to doubt their infallibility in wild bush-fighting, and who realized the dangerous nature of the ground, answered:

"It would be better to send Virginia rangers and men accustomed to the Indian mode of warfare." "What?" roared the indignant major; "give raw militia preference over British regulars? You must think us mad."

When the matter was suggested to General Braddock he was fully as indignant as the major.

"Do you think a provincial colonel can teach a British general the art of war? Mr. Washington, when I want your advice, I will ask you for it."

Washington, indignant at the insult left the headquarters of the general and wandered to where the Virginians were quartered.

"What has gone amiss, colonel?" asked Captain Stevens.

sults.

Virginians are treated with indignities and inThe expedition will be a failure. Tomorrow's setting sun will be red with blood and defeat."

"We can only do our best, regardless of what may happen," answered Stevens.

Before daylight next morning, George Washington, who shared Captain Stevens' tent was awakened by the rumbling of artillery and the marching of men. It was Colonel Gage's division crossing the Monongahela. Just at dawn of day, Sir John St. Clair, with a pioneer corps of two hundred and fifty men, went forward to make the roads ready for the artillery and baggage. They took with them their wagons of tools and two six-pounders. By sunrise the main army in full uniform were ready, looking as if they were prepared for a dress* parade rather than for battle. With fixed bayonets

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