The soldiers, as they crossed the river, with glittering swords and bayonets, made an imposing sight. The royal troops moved forward in solid platoons, with only a small vanguard of guides and skirmishers. As Washington saw the movement he could not resist speaking to Braddock again of the folly of sending soldiers into the wilderness in that form. He begged to be allowed to send the Virginia Rangers in advance.
“It will not be necessary,” was Braddock’s haughty answer. “The royal troops are capable of taking care of themselves.” And the march forward was resumed. To awe the enemy the general had had all uniforms and equipments cleaned the day before, so that everything shone as bright as a new silver dollar—making the better marks for the Indians siding with the French!
By two o’clock in the afternoon the main body of the army had reached a position seven or eight miles from Fort Duquesne. They had just left a plain about half a mile from the river bank and were ascending a rise through the forest. The royal troops were in advance, in two sections, the Virginia Rangers somewhat to the rear. A few guides were out, but not many, and the pioneers were kept at work opening up the road for the artillery.
On a sudden came a sharp firing from the front, at first a few scattered shots, and then several rattling volleys. Several of the vanguard were cut down instantly and the others came to a halt in dismay.
“The French and the Indians!” was the cry. “They are on us a thousand strong!” The firing continued, and the vanguard was driven back. In the meantime General Braddock ordered the main body of troops forward and went with them himself. The troops advanced in a solid body until the remnant of the vanguard was met and then came to a halt.
The enemy was in front and upon either side, but could scarcely be seen. From behind rocks and trees, and from the shelter of a nearby ravine, they poured a hot and murderous fire into the English, laying the grenadiers low with marvelous rapidity. Both the Indians and the French tried to pick off the officers and in this way succeeded, for of the number sixty-two out of eighty-six were killed or wounded.
At last Braddock’s eyes were opened to the blunder he had made, and riding around quickly he tried to form his men into separate companies and send them into the woods. But they were now panic-stricken and huddled together not knowing what to do or what to expect. Braddock raved at them and pleaded with them, but it was all in vain. His horses were shot from under him until five were gone, and then he tried to get his men into order for a retreat. Just at that moment a bullet passed through his right arm and lodged in his lungs. He pitched forward and was caught by a captain of the Virginia guard, and soon after carried to the rear, begging those who supported him to let him die where he had fallen.
CHAPTER XXX
FIGHTING IN THE FOREST
From almost the start Colonel Washington was in the thickest of the fight. As an aide to Braddock he did his best to rally the men and also tried to get the cannoneers to bring their weapons into position, even going so far as to train and fire one of the pieces himself.
“Take to the woods!” were his orders to the Virginia Rangers. “Surround the grenadiers and drive the Indians back. Perhaps we can then take care of the French.”