Indians, who concealing themselves in the long grass, were no less skilful in securing themselves, than dextrous in annoying their enemies.

Braddock had drawn up his men in two lines, with the artillery in the centre; thus presenting a solid front to the fire of the enemy. He appeared in the front of his men, animating them by his example and endeavouring in vain to restore them to order. After having five horses shot under him, and seen two of his aids fall by his side, he at length received a shot and fell from his horse. This proved the signal for a general rout among the regulars, who were preserved from total destruction by the provincial troops. These dispersing themselves in the woods, by a successful fire gave a check to the pursuers, and served as a cover to the flying regiment. The general, by the exertions of colonel Washington and captain Stewart, of his guards, was brought off the ground in a cart. The horses and baggage fell into the hands of the enemy."

The loss of the provincial army on this occasion, amounted to about seven hundred killed

and wounded, among whom were upwards of sixty officers. Much has been said in praise of the Virginia troops in this engagement, and if we estimate their courage by the loss they sustained, it was indeed very great. Out of three companies that were in the engagement, scarcely thirty escaped alive. Captain Peronny and all his officers were killed, and all of the company of captain Poulson, except one, shared the same fate.

It would be superfluous to notice the bravery of Washington on this occasion. His fame is already fixed on a base that cannot be shaken by the revolutions of time. We shall merely observe, that in all the subsequent engagements in which he shone with so much splendour at the head of his army, he in no instance showed more cool and determined bravery than in the battle of the Monongahela. He had three horses shot under him, and several bullet holes were made through his clothes; but Providence designed him for more important fields and more successful warfare.

On the arrival of the army at Dunbar's

camp, it was deemed expedient to destroy all the stores, except what might be wanted for immediate use. Soon after their arrival at this place, the brave commander of the expedition died of his wounds. He was by no means deficient in military skill or personal courage; but he was not apprized of the manner of the attack, nor acquainted with the proper mode of repelling it. British courage and discipline were of little avail in the American woods, and contending with a foe whose success depended more on ambush and surprise than on valour and discipline.

After the defeat of general Braddock the command of the army devolved on colonel Dunbar, who considering any farther offensive measures as impracticable at present, marched his troops to Philadelphia.

The retreat of the army left the whole frontier of Virginia exposed to the ravages of the victorious enemy, who now extended their incursions even over the Blue Ridge, and marked with blood and terror their hostile course. This distressing state of affairs induced the

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governor to call a meeting of the assembly, to provide for the security of the colony. On the meeting of that body, it was determined to raise a regiment of sixteen companies, the command of which, and all the forces in Virginia, was given to colonel Washington. Meanwhile the French and Indians continued their depredations, and news frequently arrived of irruptions along the frontiers. The western inhabitants, instead of uniting and repelling the assailants, abandoned their dwellings, their flocks and their farms to the mercy of the rude invader.

Having made arrangements for the recruiting service, Washington set out in person to visit the western frontier posts. From thence he returned to Williamsburg for the purpose of settling the plan of future operations: on his way he was overtaken by an express, informing him that a body of French and Indians had broken into the back settlements, and were murdering the inhabitants and burning their houses. Washington hastened back to Winchester, and endeavoured to raise a body of

militia to march against the enemy; but his exertions were frustrated by the general terror and confusion that prevailed among the people. Before any adequate force could be raised, the enemy had allayed their fury with blood, and had re-crossed the pathless mountains with their prisoners and their plunder. Washington saw the necessity of training a body of militia for the defence of the colony, but his advice was almost always rejected, or adopted too late.

In the year 1756 lord Loudon arrived in the colony, vested with the command of the British forces in Virginia. A short address was presented to him by the regiment, complimenting him on his arrival, and a statement of the military affairs of the colony, drawn up by Washington, was laid before him. The assembly, which had been recently dissolved, was again summoned to meet, principally for the purpose of devising measures of defence against the repeated attacks of the Indians. A day of fasting and prayer was also appointed by proclamation. Meantime general Montcalm, com