George Washington | Page 8

Washington reports it:
When we came to this place, we were attacked (very unexpectedly) by
about three hundred French and Indians. Our numbers consisted of
about thirteen hundred well armed men, chiefly Regulars, who were
immediately struck with such an inconceivable panick, that nothing but
confusion and disobedience of orders prevailed among them. The
officers, in general, behaved with incomparable bravery, for which they
greatly suffered, there being near 60 killed and wounded--a large
proportion, out of the number we had!
The Virginia companies behaved like men and died like soldiers; for I
believe out of three companies that were on the ground that day scarce
thirty were left alive. Capt. Peyroney and all his officers, down to a
corporal, were killed; Capt. Polson had almost as hard a fate, for only
one of his escaped. In short, the dastardly behaviour of the Regular
troops (so-called) exposed those who were inclined to do their duty to
almost certain death; and, at length, in despite of every effort to the
contrary, broke and ran as sheep before hounds, leaving the artillery,
ammunition, provisions, baggage, and, in short, everything a prey to
the enemy. And when we endeavored to rally them, in hopes of
regaining the ground and what we had left upon it, it was with as little
success as if we had attempted to have stopped the wild bears of the
mountains, or rivulets with our feet; for they would break by, in despite
of every effort that could be made to prevent it.
The General was wounded in the shoulder and breast, of which he died

three days after; his two aids-de-camp were both wounded, but are in a
fair way of recovery; Colo. Burton and Sr. John St. Clair are also
wounded, and I hope will get over it; Sir Peter Halket, with many other
brave officers, were killed in the field. It is supposed that we had three
hundred or more killed; about that number we brought off wounded,
and it is conjectured (I believe with much truth) that two thirds of both
received their shot from our own cowardly Regulars, who gathered
themselves into a body, contrary to orders, ten or twelve deep, would
then level, fire and shoot down the men before them.[1]
[Footnote 1: Ford, I, 173-74-75.]
In this admirable letter Washington tells nothing about his own prowess
in the battle, where he rode to all parts of the field, trying to stem the
retreat, and had two horses shot under him and four bullet holes in his
coat. He tried to get the troops to break ranks and to screen themselves
behind rocks and trees, but Braddock, helpless without his rules, drove
them back to regular formation with the flat of his sword, and made
them an easy mark for the volleys of the enemy. Washington's personal
valor could not fail to be admired, although his audacity exposed him
to unjustified risks.
On reaching Fort Cumberland he wrote to his brother John, on July
18th:
As I have heard, since my arrival at this place, a circumstantial account
of my death and dying speech, I take this early opportunity of
contradicting the first, and assuring you, that I have not as yet
composed the latter. But, by the all-powerful dispensations of
Providence, I have been protected beyond all human probability and
expectation.[1]
[Footnote 1: Ibid. 175-76.]
The more he thought over the events of that day, the more was he
amazed--"I join very heartily with you in believing," he wrote Robert
Jackson on August 2d, "that when this story comes to be related in
future annals, it will meet with unbelief and indignation, for had I not

been witness to the fact on that fatal day, I should scarce have given
credit to it even now."[1]
[Footnote 1: Ford, I, 177.]
Although Washington was thoroughly disgusted by the
mismanagement of military affairs in Virginia, he was not ready to
deny the appeals of patriotism. From Mount Vernon, on August 14,
1755, he wrote his mother:
Honored Madam, If it is in my power to avoid going to the Ohio again,
I shall; but if the command is pressed upon me, by the general voice of
the country, and offered upon such terms as cannot be objected against,
it would reflect dishonor upon me to refuse; and that, I am sure must or
ought to give you greater uneasiness, than my going in an honorable
command, for upon no other terms I will accept of it. At present I have
no proposals made to me, nor have I any advice of such an intention,
except from private hands.[1]
[Footnote 1: Ibid. 180-81.]
Braddock's defeat put an end to campaigning in Virginia for some time.
The consternation it caused, not only held the people of the sparse