direct. I wish sincerely that we may all entertain one and the same opinion; therefore I desire to have an interview with you at the houses built half way between our camps." This proposal was acceded to, and the matter was deliberately discussed.

It was represented by Colonel Washington, that a great deal of pains had been taken formerly by the Ohio Company, with the aid of traders and Indians, to ascertain the most practicable route to the western country; that the one from Will's Creek was selected as far preferable to any other; that a road had accordingly been made, over which General Braddock's army had passed; and that this road required but slight repairs to put it in good condition. Even if another route could be found, he thought the experiment a hazardous one at so advanced a stage in the season, as it would retard the operations, and, he feared, inevitably defeat the objects of the campaign, and defer the capture of Fort Duquesne to another year. Such a result would dishearten the colonies, which had made extraordinary efforts to raise men and money for the present enterprise, with the full expectation of its success; it would moreover embolden the southern Indians, already disaffected, who would seize the opportunity to commit new hostilities, thereby distressing the inhabitants, strengthening the enemy, and adding to the difficulty of a future conquest. But, admitting it possible, that a new road could be made from Raystown through Pennsylvania, yet no advantage could be derived from it, that did not actually exist in an equal or greater degree in Braddock's Road. Forage for the horses was abundant in the meadows bordering the latter; the streams were fordable, and the defiles. easy to be passed.

These reasons, so obvious and forcible, did not change

the purpose of the general, who, it was believed, had been influenced by the Pennsylvanians to construct a new road, which would be a lasting benefit to that province, by opening a more direct channel of intercourse with the West. Colonel Bouquet, of course, adhered to the views of his general.

There was another project, which Colonel Washington disapproved, and which his advice prevailed to counteract. The general proposed to march the army in two divisions, one by Braddock's Road, the other directly from Raystown, making the road as it advanced. To this scheme he strenuously objected. Dividing the army would weaken it, and the routes were so far apart, without any means of communication between the two, that one division could not succour the other in case of an attack; and it was certain the enemy would take advantage of such an oversight. Again, if the division marching first should escort the convoy and be driven back, there would be a perilous risk of losing the stores and artillery, and of bringing total ruin upon the expedition. In short, every mischief, that could befall a divided army, acting against the concentrated force of an enemy, was to be apprehended. The project was laid aside.

His opinion was likewise desired, as to the best mode of advancing by deposits. He made an estimate, on the supposition of marching by Braddock's Road, in which it was shown, that the whole army might be at Fort Duquesne in thirty-four days, and have then on hand a supply of provisions for eightyseven days. Perceiving Colonel Bouquet's bias in favor of the general's ideas, he could scarcely hope his suggestions would be received. So strong were his fears for the fate of the expedition, that he wrote in moving terms to Major Halket, his former associate

in Braddock's army, and now one of General Forbes's family.

"I am just returned," said he, "from a conference with Colonel Bouquet. I find him fixed, I think I may say unalterably fixed, to lead you a new way to the Ohio, through a road, every inch of which is to be cut at this advanced season, when we have scarce time left to tread the beaten track, universally confessed to be the best passage through the mountains.

our en

"If Colonel Bouquet succeeds in this point with the general, all is lost, all is lost indeed, terprise will be ruined, and we shall be stopped at the Laurel Hill this winter; but not to gather laurels, except of the kind that covers the mountains. The southern Indians will turn against us, and these colonies will be desolated by such an accession to the enemy's strength. These must be the consequences of a miscarriage; and a miscarriage is the almost necessary consequence of an attempt to march the army by this new route. I have given my reasons at large to Colonel Bouquet. He desired that I would do so, that he might forward them to the general. Should this happen, you will be able to judge of their weight.

"I am uninfluenced by prejudice, having no hopes. or fears but for the general good. Of this you may be assured, and that my sincere sentiments are spoken on this occasion."

These representations were vain. Colonel Bouquet was ordered to send forward parties to work upon the new road. Six weeks had been expended in this arduous labor, when General Forbes reached the camp at Raystown, about the middle of September. Fortyfive miles only had been gained by the advanced party, then constructing a fort at Loyal Hanna, the main army still being at Raystown, and the larger part of

VOL. I.

13

I

the Virginia troops at Fort Cumberland. At that moment the whole army might have been before the walls of Fort Duquesne, if they had marched as advised by Washington. An easy victory would have ensued; for it was ascertained, that the French at that time, including Indians, numbered not more than eight hundred men. Under General Forbes, six thousand were

in the field.

In reporting these facts to the Speaker of the Virginia Assembly, Colonel Washington said; "See, therefore, how our time has been misspent. Behold how the golden opportunity has been lost, perhaps never more to be regained! How is it to be accounted for? Can General Forbes have orders for this? Impossible. Will, then, our injured country pass by such abuses? I hope not. Rather let a full representation of the matter go to his Majesty. Let him know how grossly his glory and interest, and the public money, are prostituted." About this time occurred the ill-concerted and unfortunate adventure under Major Grant, who was suffered to push forward to the very doors of the enemy a light detachment, which was attacked, cut up, and routed, and he and his principal officers were taken prisoners.

These proceedings, and the counsels by which General Forbes seemed to be guided, were so unsatisfactory to the Virginia House of Burgesses, and gave so discouraging a presage of the future, that they resolved to recall their troops, and place them on their own frontier. But when it was known, from subsequent intelligence, that the expedition was in progress, and foreseen that its failure might be ascribed to the withdrawing of the Virginia regiments, and perhaps be actually caused by such a measure, they revoked their resolves, and extended the term of service to the end of the year.

General Forbes had no sooner taken the command in person at Raystown, than he called to head-quarters Colonel Washington, who was followed by those companies of his regiments, which had been posted at Fort Cumberland. Notwithstanding the strenuous opposition he had manifested to the plans of operation, as an act of duty, while they were in suspense, he suppressed his feelings and subdued his reluctance, from the same motive, the moment they were decided upon, and he then engaged heartily in promoting their execution. If he was mortified at the little attention hitherto paid to his advice, he was compensated by the deference now shown to his opinions and judgment. He attended the councils of war, and was consulted upon every important measure by the general, at whose request he drew up a line of march and order of battle, by which the army could advance with facility and safety through the woods. The fate of Braddock, and its causes, were too deeply impressed on General Forbes's mind to be forgotten or disregarded. Unaccustomed to this mode of warfare, more wise and less confident than his predecessor, he was glad to seek the aid of one, whose knowledge and experience would be available, where valor might waste its efforts in vain, and discipline and strength be ensnared by the artifices of a crafty foe.

Several weeks previously, when the first detachments began to march, Colonel Washington requested to be put in the advance. Alluding to the troops, which were to compose the first party, he wrote to Colonel Bouquet; "I pray your interest, most sincerely, with the general, to get myself and my regiment included in the number. If any argument is needed to obtain this favor, I hope without vanity I may be allowed to say, that, from long intimacy with these woods, and