HIS FIRST BATTLE.

Washington’s report concerning the designs of the French created intense excitement in Virginia and the neighboring Colonies. Governor Dinwiddie could see no other way to maintain the dignity of his government than by a resort to arms. He so reported to his Majesty the King of England. The excitement there became even greater than it was in America. Everybody wanted to fight to vindicate the nation’s honor. The popular conversation was a declaration of war against the French.

The British Government was not long in framing instructions to the American Colonies, and orders were issued that they should unite in one confederacy and drive the French out of the land. The king directed Governor Dinwiddie to raise a force in Virginia, and the order was received with great enthusiasm. Washington was appointed to push recruiting, with headquarters at Alexandria. New York and South Carolina pledged two independent companies.

Washington anticipated a rush of volunteers when the governor sent out his call for troops, but the small pay offered did not induce the stalwart yeomanry, and other reliable classes, to relinquish their honorable occupations at home for the hunger and hardships of war. The result was, that a very unreliable class offered to enlist. One writer says:

“There gathered about him a rabble of ragamuffins and worthless fellows, who had spent their lives in tramping up and down the country, without settled homes or occupations. Some were without hats and shoes; some had coats and no shirts, some had shirts and no coats; and all were without arms, or any keen desire to use them if they had them. All this disgusted and disheartened our youthful colonel not a little, for he was young, and had yet to learn that it is of just such stuff that the beginnings of armies are always made.”

Washington wrote to Governor Dinwiddie in a very desponding tone, complaining of the want of patriotism in the Colony. Immediately the governor came to his relief by issuing a proclamation, in which he said:

“Two hundred thousand acres of the very best land on the head-water of the Ohio will be appropriated, and divided among those who enlist and serve during the war.”

The effect of this order was good, and soon one company was raised and sent forward, under Captain Trent, to occupy the junction of the Monongahela and Alleghany Rivers, and there erect a fort, before the French could possess it. This was the spot which Washington recommended to Governor Dinwiddie as an admirable location for a fort.

When the work of recruiting was completed, the governor offered the command of the whole force to Washington, although Colonel Fry was entitled to it by right of seniority. Such was Washington’s popularity, that Governor Dinwiddie knew the people would hail the appointment with unfeigned satisfaction. But Washington, with his usual modest estimate of himself, said to a friend:

“I cannot take the responsibility; I am not equal to it.”

“That is not for you to say,” urged his friend. “The people believe that you are just the man for the place, and will not be satisfied unless you take command.”

“The command belongs to Colonel Fry, whose competency no one disputes, and whose age is certainly a qualification in his favor,” answered Washington.

“All that may be true; it probably is true; nevertheless, the governor understands what the popular demand is, and has acted accordingly,” his friend retorted. “My advice is, accept the position, and bury your modesty.”

“It is not modesty,” protested Washington. “I have too much love for my country to do anything to prejudice her interests.

On declining to assume the chief command, Washington wrote to Colonel Corbin, who desired that he should accept, as follows:

“The command of the whole forces is what I neither look for, expect, or desire, for I must be impartial enough to confess it is a charge too great for my youth and inexperience to be intrusted with. Knowing this, I have too sincere a love for my country to undertake that which may tend to the prejudice of it. But, if I could entertain hopes that you thought me worthy of the post of lieutenant-colonel, and would favor me so far as to mention it at the appointment of officers, I could not but entertain a true sense of the kindness. I flatter myself that, under a skilful commander or man of sense (which I most sincerely wish to serve under), with my own application and diligent study of my duty, I shall be able to conduct my steps without censure, and, in time, render myself worthy of the promotion that I shall be favored with now.”

Colonel Joshua Fry was appointed to the chief command, and Washington was made lieutenant-colonel.

While Washington was attending to his duties at Alexandria, an incident occurred which illustrates the strength of his moral character. There was an election for members of the House of Burgesses, and the two opposing candidates in that district were Colonel George Fairfax and a Mr. Elzey.

“I am well acquainted with Colonel Fairfax,” remarked Washington to the bystanders, “and I know him to be abundantly qualified for the position. He is able, and a true patriot.”

“As much can be said of Mr. Elzey, and perhaps more,” replied a man by the name of Payne, a great friend and admirer of the latter gentleman. “His experience qualifies him for the office beyond most men in the district.”

Here Washington remarked, somewhat sarcastically, that character, after all, in such times, was the highest qualification, a remark that was readily construed into an insinuation that Payne’s candidate did not possess it, whereupon Payne struck him so violently with a stick as to knock him down.

A scene followed. Washington’s friends sprang forward to his rescue, but he was on his feet before their help reached him. They turned upon his assailant.

“What do you mean, you dastard?” exclaimed one.

“Take him into custody”! shouted another.

“Knock him down!” bawled a third.

“No, gentlemen,” interrupted Washington, just in season to prevent a collision, “do not touch the man. Perhaps he was not altogether to blame. My remark was hasty. Let us have no more trouble.”

The officers and others present were nearly as much surprised by Washington’s intercession for his assailant as they were by the latter’s heartless blow, and they stood speechless. The young commander remained until the excitement ceased, when he repaired to his lodgings at the hotel, where he immediately wrote a note to Mr. Payne, asking him to call in the morning.

Anticipating a challenge to a duel, Payne armed himself with a pistol in the morning before making the call. To his surprise, Washington met him at the door with an apology.

“I ask your pardon for an offence given in an unguarded moment,” he said, grasping his hand.

Payne was thoroughly embarrassed by this reception, and he was so filled with admiration by the magnanimity of the act, that he became one of Washington’s warmest friends. Their mutual friendship lasted as long as they lived.

Mr. McGuire very properly says of this deed:

“How noble and becoming was this conduct! It was especially admirable in a youthful soldier, whose very profession exposed him to peculiar temptations on such an occasion. How many would have been driven, by the fear of reproach and dread of unfavorable insinuations, to incur the hazards of a duel, thus offering up at the shrine of honor the costly sacrifice of human life. It was not possible that a man like Washington, so endowed with moral courage and regard for virtue, should be moved by the fear of man to such a course. He dreaded not the charge of cowardice from the mouths of fools. In his own bosom he had its ample refutation. He was conscious of a fortitude which no dangers could shake. To display it in murdering a fellow-citizen was not his ambition. He had before him the tented field and the enemies of his country, and he was pledged for the hazards of a mortal conflict in her defence. Here he was willing to show his courage and lay down his life. He would not do so to gratify revenge, or win applause from the vain.”

When Washington had recruited two more companies of fifty men each, he applied to Governor Dinwiddie for permission to advance for the better protection of the frontier. Having procured the order from the governor, he marched out of camp, equipped not only with arms, but also with implements of labor for constructing a road over which supplies and cannon might be readily transported. This was a great undertaking, since there were giant trees to be felled, hills to be levelled, marshes to be filled, rocks to be blasted, and bridges to be built. So great a work was this, that the little army was fourteen days going thirteen miles. They reached Will’s Creek on the 24th of April, 1754, where Washington unexpectedly met Captain Trent.

“What are you doing here, captain,” said Washington, somewhat surprised at seeing him.

“Recruiting my command,” answered Trent. “I need more men to construct the fort.”

“That is certain, and we need more men everywhere,” responded Washington. “It is fearfully hard work to prosecute such a campaign with so few men. But how are you succeeding?”

“As well as could be expected under the circumstances. I am thankful for the smallest number of recruits, for forty men to construct and garrison a fort at the forks of the Ohio is altogether too small a force.”

While discussing this matter, Ensign Ward entered the camp, and surprised both Washington and Trent by saying:

“The garrison at the fort have surrendered to the French.”

Captain Trent left Ensign Ward in command of his force at the forks, while he was recruiting at Will’s Creek.

“How can that be?” exclaimed Trent, surprised beyond measure.

“On the 17th,” the ensign explained, “we were surprised by the appearance of the French fleet in the river, under the command of Captain Contrecoeur, consisting of three hundred canoes and sixty batteaux, carrying a thousand men and eighteen cannon.”

“To take possession of the forks and erect a fort for their own defence,” interjected Washington, who had called the attention of Governor Dinwiddie to the probability of such an event.

“Yes, that was what they came for,” replied Ward; “and they were glad to see one so far under way, no doubt, as it would lighten their labors.

“Did they make an attack?” inquired Washington.

“Captain Contrecoeur planted his cannon to sweep the fort, drew up his men in readiness for an attack, and then sent a demand to the English to surrender in one hour, or he would open fire.”

“Under the circumstances you could not object with much resolution,” remarked Washington.

“I didn’t, but surrendered without parleying,” replied Ward; “and we were allowed to march out bearing our arms and all our tools.

“This is a declaration of war,” remarked Washington, “and we must govern ourselves accordingly.”

He called his officers together for consultation, and said to them:

“The French have now invaded the frontier of the Colony, and as I construe my instructions from the government, it is my duty to march forward to meet the invaders.

Without reinforcements from Colonel Fry? anxiously inquired one of his officers.

“No. We can march to the mouth of Red Stone Creek, which is thirty-seven miles above the fort captured by the French, there throw up defences, and await the arrival of reinforcements.

A messenger was posted away to Colonel Fry, while the army took up the line of march to Red Stone Creek, where it hastily intrenched and awaited reinforcements.

About the 1st of May, Captain Stevens arrived with his company of fifty men. Colonel Fry remained at his post to complete arrangements and bring up supplies; but he suddenly died, so that Washington was forced to act as commander-in-chief.

With his little army increased to one hundred and fifty men, Washington proceeded to Great Meadows, making a road suitable for transporting supplies as he advanced, and reaching his destination on the 27th of May. They had but just encamped when Mr. Gist arrived.

“I have seen the trail of a party within five miles of you, which I am sure were French,” he said to Washington, under evident excitement.

“I am not surprised at that announcement,” replied Washington. “War is inevitable, and we must accept the issue. We must look after these French.”

“Or they will look after us,” retorted Gist. “The French mean business; there can be no doubt of that. Unless we mean business it is all up with us.

“I will pursue them at once,” continued Washington; and he took forty men, leaving the remainder of his force to work on the intrenchments. Half-king, with a few Indians, joined him, and when it was supposed they were in the vicinity of the French party, two Indian scouts were sent forward, who discovered their camp two miles distant. It was in the dawn of the morning, and they had traveled all night through the driving storm and darkness, and, of course, were poorly prepared for battle. But Washington determined upon an attack immediately. Arranging his own men on the right and the Indians on the left, he advanced rapidly upon the enemy. The latter were taken unawares, but they sprang to their arms and opened fire on catching sight of the English. A brief, sharp, bloody encounter ensued, when the French surrendered, having lost ten men killed and one wounded. Twenty-one were taken prisoners. Washington’s loss was one man killed and two or three wounded.

Among the slain Frenchmen was their popular commander, Captain Jumonville. The twenty-one prisoners were sent, under a strong guard, to Governor Dinwiddie, with a plea from Washington that they should be treated with humanity. He withstood Tanacharisson and his redskins, who wanted to slay every one of the prisoners, and rebuked their revengeful spirit.

“The French army at the forks will avenge the death of Jumonville,” said Washington to Gist, “and the whole force will march against us.

“They will if they are like the rest of mankind,” responded Gist, “and that, too, without waiting for ceremony.”

“We will be prepared for them,” added Washington. “It will never do for an army to be caught napping, especially a little one like mine.”

“But you will fight against great odds,” suggested Gist; “the French have every advantage in men and means.

“True, very true, but we must make our fortifications strong at the Meadows, and do the best we can.”

This little conquering squad of English rejoined the army at the Meadows, and proceeded at once to make their fort impregnable. Here Washington soon received additional reinforcements, swelling his army to four hundred soldiers. Among them was a company of one hundred men from North Carolina, under Captain Mackey. The latter officer made some trouble for Washington by claiming superiority of rank, because his commission was from the King of England, while Washington’s was from a provincial governor only. However, this difficulty was soon adjusted through Washington’s tact and magnanimity.

The army was short of provisions at this time, supplies not having been sent forward as Washington expected. His men were very much tried, and many of them were exasperated. Adding hunger and needless suffering to their pittance of pay was quite enough to demoralize the rank and file. Washington could not blame them much, in the circumstances, although the discontent added to his trials. He wrote to Governor Dinwiddie in his troubles, as follows:

“Giving up my commission is quite contrary to my intentions. Nay, I ask it as a greater favor than any amongst the many I have received from your honor, to confirm it to me. But let me serve voluntarily; then I will, with the greatest pleasure in life, devote my services to the expedition, without any other reward than the satisfaction of serving my country; but to be slaving dangerously for the shadow of pay, through woods, rocks, and mountains, I would rather prefer the great toil of a day laborer, and dig for a maintenance, provided I were reduced to the necessity, than serve upon such ignoble terms.... I hope what I have said will not be taken amiss, for I really believe, were it as much in your power as it is in your inclination, we should be treated as gentlemen and officers, and not have annexed to the most trifling pay that ever was given to English officers the glorious allowance of soldier’s diet, a pound of pork, with bread in proportion, per day. Be the consequence what it will, I am determined not to leave the regiment, but to be among the last men to quit the Ohio.”

Washington preferred to serve his country without pay rather than have the reputation of being paid when receiving but a pittance, and half starved into the bargain. His appeal was a sincere and earnest one for his soldiers.

As on former occasions, Washington was his own chaplain. Twice a day his little army were called to prayers in the fort, which he himself conducted. On the Sabbath only works of necessity were performed, and he conducted religious services. Sometimes his brief remarks, called forth by the condition of his army, deeply impressed his listeners, who knew that they were honest words from a true heart.

He was exceedingly annoyed by the profanity and wickedness of his men, and at one time he issued the following order:

“Colonel Washington has observed that the men of his regiment are very profane and reprobate. He takes this opportunity to inform them of his great displeasure at such practices, and assures them that, if they do not leave them off, they shall be severely punished. The officers are desired, if they hear any men swear or make use of an oath or execration, to order the offender twenty-five lashes immediately, without a court-martial. For a second offence he shall be more severely punished.”

As the French army did not make its appearance after waiting many days for it, Washington resolved to march upon Fort Duquesne, as the French had named their stronghold at the forks in honor of the governor of Canada.

Leaving Captain Mackey with his company to garrison the fort, Washington advanced towards the forks. But he had marched only thirteen miles when he met several friendly Indians, one of whom said:

“The French are on the march against you.”

“How far away?” inquired Washington.

“A few miles only.”

“In large force?”

“Eight hundred Frenchmen and four hundred Indians.

“I can hardly credit that they are coming with so large a force,” replied Washington. “That is a formidable army for my small army to fight.”

The Indians convinced him that it was even so, whereupon he called a council of war, when it was unanimously decided to retreat to their base of supplies. After two days of wearisome marching, on the retreat, they reached the fort at the Great Meadows. Here many of the men and horses were so exhausted and weak for the want of food that Washington decided to make a stand there. He was forced to stop there, and so he named the stockade “Fort Necessity.”

The able-bodied soldiers were set to work digging a trench around the fortifications, and felling large trees to obstruct the march of the enemy upon their works. But their labors were far from being completed when, on the morning of July 3, a wounded sentinel came rushing into camp and shouting, “The enemy is upon us! The French army is here!”

The drum beat the soldiers into line quickly, outside of their fortifications, though subsequently they were withdrawn into the fort. About eleven o’clock the enemy opened a heavy fire upon the fort, which was returned with spirit.

“Waste no powder; fire at discretion; and where-ever you discover a head, pick it off,” were Washington’s instructions to his men.

The battle raged all day until eight o’clock in the evening, when the French commander, Monsieur De Villiers, sent a flag of truce. Supposing it was a scheme to get a spy within the fort to discover its strength, Washington declined to receive it. But De Villiers, evidently thinking the English force was much larger than it actually was, persisted in his application for a parley. He asked that an English officer be sent to him, promising him absolute safety.

Washington sent Van Braam, who returned in a short time with articles of capitulation for him to sign, and he was accompanied by De Villiers himself.

Washington declined to sign them until they were amended to suit his wishes. About midnight the articles were signed, and the fort surrendered.

On the morning of July 4, 1754, the little army marched out of the fort, with banners flying and the band playing, carrying their arms with them, so that there was no degradation in the surrender. As the French had killed all of Washington’s horses and cattle, he could not take away his cannon and heavy baggage; so it was stipulated that these should be protected until he could send for them.

In this his first battle, Washington lost fifty-eight men, while the French lost two hundred in killed and wounded.

Washington marched his little army back to Williamsburg, where he was received with distinguished honors. The governor tendered him hearty thanks in behalf of the government; and the House of Burgesses, which soon assembled, unanimously adopted a vote of thanks “for their bravery, and the gallant manner in which they had conducted themselves in the defence of the country.” A resolution was passed, also, granting an appropriation of four hundred pistoles to be distributed among the soldiers who had aided in the expedition. In addition, the assembly made an appropriation of ten thousand dollars, in October following, for the public service; and soon afterwards the English government forwarded fifty thousand dollars for the same purpose.

The defeat of Washington did not appear to modify the public confidence in him. The people knew full well the great odds against which he contended, and judged him accordingly. That he should defend Fort Necessity so long and so successfully, when fatigue and hunger were creating discontent, was proof to them of skill and courage; and that he should secure terms of capitulation so honorable, appeared to them a reason of praise rather than censure.

French historians have censured Washington for the death of Jumonville, denominating the attack upon his small party “assassination.” They claim that he was sent upon an embassy, of which there is not a shadow of proof. On the other hand, there is positive evidence that Jumonville was conducting a reconnoitering party, to ascertain the position and strength of the English.

Washington’s report to Governor Dinwiddie, and the latter’s letter to Lord Albemarle, establish the facts in the case beyond contradiction. For this reason we introduce them here:

“I set out with forty men before ten, and it was from that time till near sunrise before we reached the Indians’ camp, having marched in small paths, through a heavy rain, and a night as dark as it is possible to conceive. We were frequently tumbling over one another, and often so lost that fifteen or twenty minutes’ search would not find the path again.

“When we came to the half-king, I counselled with him, and got his assent to go hand in hand and strike the French. Accordingly he, Monacawacha, and a few other Indians, set out with us; and when we came to the place where the troops were, the half-king sent two Indians to follow the tracks and discover their lodgment, which they did, at a very obscure place, surrounded with rocks. I, thereupon, in conjunction with the half-king and Monacawacha, formed a disposition to attack them on all sides, which we accordingly did; and, after an engagement of fifteen minutes, we killed ten, wounded one, and took twenty-one prisoners. Amongst those killed was Monsieur Jumonville, the commander. The principal officers taken are Monsieur Drouillon, and Monsieur La Force, of whom your Honor has often heard me speak as a bold, enterprising man, and a person of great subtlety and cunning. These officers pretend that they were coming on an embassy; but the absurdity of this pretext is too glaring, as you will see by the instructions and summons enclosed. Their instructions were to reconnoiter the country, roads, creeks, and the like, as far as the Potomac, which they were about to do. These enterprising men were purposely chosen out to procure intelligence, which they were to send back by some brisk despatches, with the mention of the day that they were to serve the summons, which could be with no other view than to get reinforcements to fall upon us immediately after.”

Governor Dinwiddie wrote to Lord Albemarle as follows:

“The prisoners said they were come as an embassy from the fort: but your lordship knows that ambassadors do not come with such an armed force without a trumpet or any other sign of friendship; nor can it be thought that they were on an embassy, by their staying so long reconnoitering our small camp, but more probably that they expected a reinforcement to cut us off.”