to attack the English, with a corps composed of eight hundred French, and four hundred Indians. This intelligence was corroborated by the information already received from deserters, who had come in a few days before, and had assured them that a re-enforcement was expected.

The troops commanded by colonel Washington had been without bread for six days, and had but a very small supply of meat. The enemy could approach within five miles of their position by water, and might either pass them by a road leading through the country some distance from them, and taking post in their rear, cut off all supplies, and starve them into a surrender; or fight them with a superiority of three to one.

In this hazardous situation, a council of war was called. The officers unanimously advised that they should retire to the fort at the Great Meadows now termed fort Necessity, where the two roads united, and the face of the country was such as to permit an enemy to pass unperceived. At that place it was intended to remain until reenforcements of men, and supplies of provisions should arrive.

In pursuance of this advice, colonel Washington retreated to fort Necessity, and began a ditch around the stockade. Before it was completed, the enemy appeared. They were commanded by monsieur de Villier, and were estimated at fifteen hundred men. They immediately commenced a furious attack upon the fort, where they were received with great intrepidity. The Americans

fought partly within the stockade, and partly in the surrounding ditch which was nearly filled with mud and water. Colonel Washington continued the whole day on the outside of the fort, encouraging the soldiers by his countenance and example. The assailants fought under cover of the trees and high grass, with which the country abounds. The engagement was continued with great resolution from ten in the morning until dark, when monsieur de Villier demanded a parley, and offered terms of capitulation. The proposals first made were rejected; but in the course of the night, articles were signed, by which the fort was surrendered, on condition that its garrison should be allowed the honours of war; should be permitted to retain their arms and baggage; and to march without molestation into the inhabited parts of Virginia. The capitulation being in French, a language not understood by any person in the garrison, and being drawn up in the night under circumstances not admitting delay, contains an expression which was at the time inaccurately translated, advantage of which has been since taken by the enemies of Mr. Washington, to imply an admission on his part, that the officer killed in the action preceding the attack on the fort, was assassinated.

An account of the transaction was published by monsieur de Villier, which drew from colonel Washington a letter to a friend, completely disproving a calumny which, though entirely discredited at the time, was revived at a subsequent period, when circumstances, well understood at

the date of the transaction, might be supposed to be forgotten.*

The whole loss sustained by the Americans in this affair, is not ascertained. From a return made on the ninth of July at Wills' creek, it appears that the killed and wounded of the Virginia regiment amounted to fifty-eight; but the loss of the two independent companies is not stated. It was conjectured that, on the part of the assailants, about two hundred were killed and wounded, and it is probable that this conjecture does not greatly

err.

Notwithstanding the stipulation that the troops should be unmolested on their march, heavy complaints were made of their being plundered and mal-treated by the Indians. The cause of these complaints was perhaps unavoidable; for it was always found extremely difficult to secure an observance of engagements on the part of these troublesome allies and formidable enemies.

Great credit was given to colonel Washington by his countrymen, for the courage displayed on this occasion. The legislature were so satisfied with the conduct of the whole party, as to vote their thanks to him and the officers under his

*See Note No. II. at the end of the volume.

† To the vote of thanks, the officers made the following reply:

"We the officers of the Virginia regiment, are highly sensible of the particular mark of distinction with which you have honoured us, in returning your thanks for our behaviour in the late action; and cannot help testifying our grateful

command. They also gave three hundred pistoles to be distributed among the soldiers engaged in the action, as a reward for their bravery.

The regiment returned to Winchester to be recruited; soon after which it was joined by the companies expected from North Carolina and Maryland. This re-enforcement being received, the lieutenant governor, on the advice of council, without attending to the condition or number of the forces, ordered them immediately to march over the Alleghany mountains, either to dispossess the French of their fort, or to build one in some proper place in its vicinity.

The little army in Virginia, which was placed under the command of colonel Innes from North Carolina, did not, as now re-enforced, exceed half the number of the enemy, and was unprovided with the means of moving, or with those supplies for a winter campaign, which are so particularly necessary in the severe climate where they were about to act. With as little consideration, directions were given for the immediate completion of the regiment, without furnishing a single shilling with which to recruit a man. Although Virginia

acknowledgments, for your "high sense" of what we shall always esteem a duty to our country and the best of kings.

Favoured with your regard, we shall zealously endeavour to deserve your applause, and by our future actions, strive to convince the worshipful house of burgesses, how much we esteem their approbation, and as it ought to be, regard it as the voice of our country.

Signed for the whole corps,

GEO: WASHINGTON."

had long basked in the sunshine of peace, it seems difficult to account for such inconsiderate and ill judged measures. Colonel Washington remonstrated strongly against these orders, but prepared, as far as possible, to execute them. The assembly, however, having risen without making any provision whatever for the further prosecution of the war, this wild expedition was laid aside.

After the season for action was over, the Virginia regiment was reduced to independent companies. In the course of the winter, orders were received for settling the rank of the officers of his majesty's forces when joined, or serving with the provincial forces in North America. These orders directed that all officers commissioned by the king, or by his general in North America, should take rank of all officers commissioned by the governors of the respective provinces. And further, that the general and field officers of the provincial troops, should have no rank when serving with the general and field officers commissioned by the crown; but that all captains, and other inferior officers of the royal troops, should take rank over provincial officers of the same grade, having senior commissions.

Though his original attachment to a military life had been rather increased by the applauses bestowed on his first essay in arms, colonel Washington possessed too entirely the proud and punctilious feelings of a soldier, to submit to a degradation so humiliating as this.

Professing