As the firing drew closer Washington ordered his men inside the fort and did his best to cheer them up.
“You are all good shots,” he said. “Wait until you see the enemy distinctly and then make every bullet reach its mark.”
Soon the French and their Indian allies surrounded the fort upon three sides and opened the deadliest fire the situation allowed. The Virginians followed, Dave and Henry with the rest, and the cracking of rifles and the booming of the small cannon was incessant. The rain continued to come down heavily and this, combined with the smoke, often hid one side from the view of the other.
Amid the general tumult in the fort Washington was to be seen here, there and everywhere. He had on his person a good brace of pistols and used them at every opportunity. Men fell all around him, but strange to say he was untouched.
“You are doing well, men!” he shouted. “Keep it up and the French will not dare to come closer. We are dropping three men to one at every volley.”
“Ain’t got no more powder,” came from a corner of the fort. “Anybody got some for me?”
“My powder is all wet,” came from somebody else.
“My flints are all used up,” added a third soldier.
“Divide your powder and your flints,” said Washington. “And, remember not to waste a single shot.”
The battle had started at eleven o’clock and now, at four o’clock, it still continued, the French firing constantly and the defenders of the fort as often as they saw the chance of making a shot tell. The English had had but a scant breakfast and no dinner. But Washington and his fellow officers still continued to cheer them up.