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forward singly or in groups, to be shot down or beaten back; for the Indians aimed at every one who appeared to have command. Some were killed by random shots of their own men, who, crowded in masses, fired with affrighted rapidity, but without aim. Soldiers in front were killed by those in the rear, and the Virginians, who had posted themselves behind stones and trees, at times found. themselves in as much danger from the regulars in their rear, as from the enemy in front. Washington, seeing the danger his friends were in from the regulars, called to Major Bridges, saying:

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Can't these soldiers be kept from shooting the men before them?"

"Zounds! they don't know what they are doing," answered Bridges.

Between friend and foe, the slaughter of the officers was terrible. Throughout the disastrous day, Washington distinguished himself by his courage and presence of mind. Orme and Morris were wounded and disabled early in the action, and Bridges being called to aid Gage and Burton, the whole duty of carrying the orders of the general devolved on him. His danger was imminent and incessant. He was in every part of the field, and a conspicuous mark for the murderous rifles of the enemy. Two horses were killed under him,

and four bullets passed through his coat; yet he escaped without a wound. One Indian singled him out and fired a number of shots at him but, missing, believed that some supernatural power guarded him from harm. He was sent with Stevens' company of Virginians to the main body to bring the artillery into action. All there was likewise in confusion, for the Indians had extended themselves along the ravines so as to flank the reserve and carry slaughter into the ranks. Sir Peter Haklet had been shot down at he head of his regiment. The men who should have served guns were paralyzed. Had they raked the ravines on their right and left with grapeshot, the day might have been saved. In his ardor, Washington sprang from his horse and called to Captain Stevens:

"Come and help me man the cannon, captain." They seized a brass field-piece, and Washington aimed it with his own hand and directed an effective discharge into the woods; but the efforts and the examples of the heroic Virginians were of no avail. The men could not be kept at the guns. Where is Major Bridges?" asked General Braddock, who still remained in the centre of the field, in the desperate hope of retrieving the fortunes of the day.

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"I do not know," Washington answered. "I have not seen him for one hour."

“I saw him going to the rear," said Captain Stewart, who, with Captain Stevens, had been thrown in front of Braddock's army with their riflemen to protect them.

"Was he wounded?"

Yes; he had a shot in the breast or shoulder," answered Stewart.

"Colonel," said the general calmly, "the fight is desperate."

"Yes, General Braddock, and we are going to be driven from the field."

Just then a bullet killed the fifth horse that had that day died under General Braddock.

Springing to his feet the general cried:

"Never!"

Captain Stevens at this moment came up and offered his horse to the general. He mounted as Washington galloped forward to form the Virginians to cover the regulars until they could fall back and re-form their lines. Braddock's secretary, Shirley, fell dead at his side; still the general kept his ground, vainly endeavoring to check the flight of his men, or at least to effect their retreat in good order. Before Washington returned, a bullet passed through Braddock's right arm and lodged in his lungs. The general swayed in his saddle.

"Look, Captain Stewart! Catch the general;

he is going to fall," cried Noah Stevens, who was half a dozen paces away. Stewart caught the general as he fell from his horse, and Noah Stevens ran to his assistance, and, by the additional aid of a servant, they placed the wounded man on a tumbril. "General, you are badly wounded," said Noah. "We must take you from the field.

"No-no-let me die here rather than retreat. Washington at this moment galloped upon the scene. The regulars were all flying, scarce a man remaining behind.

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Stay their flight! Don't give up the battle!" cried the wounded general.

George Washington, dismounting, went to the side of the wounded man and said:

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General, we must retreat. Your men have nearly all fled, and the provincials cannot hold back that murderous horde much longer.

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Even while he spoke the bullets were digging up the ground about the tumbril, and one struck the wheel on the right.

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Who would have thought it?" sighed the general. Washington, seeing that he was unable to longer command, said:

"Captain Stevens, hurry away with him. Take a dozen of your men and guard the tumbril. We will cover the retreat if we can."

Noah Stevens and two more, seizing the cart on

which the wounded general was placed, ran away as rapidly as they could. Washington conducted the retreat in such an able manner as to excite the admiration of the world. The rout was complete. Baggage, stores, artillery, everything was abandoned. The wagoners took each a horse out of his team and fled. The officers were swept off with the men in this headlong flight, which was rendered more precipitate by the shouts and yells of the savages, numbers of whom rushed forward from their coverts and pursued the fugitives to the river bank.

Fortunately the eagerness of the pursuers to plunder the wagons caused them to abandon the pursuit at the river, and return to collect the spoils. Crossing the Monongahela, the shattered army continued its flight, a wretched wreck of the brilliant little force. which that morning had marched so proudly along the banks of that historic stream, confident of victory. Out of eightysix officers, twenty-six had been killed and thirtysix wounded. The number of killed and wounded of the rank and file were over seven hundred.

About one-fourth of a mile from the ford, a hundred men were halted. Braddock, his wounded aides, and some of his officers were here.

"Where is Bridges?" asked the wounded gen

eral.

There was a sullen growl, half roar and half

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