"Strike my tents and repair to Philadelphia and go into winter quarters," answered Dunbar.
"Go into winter quarters before dog-days have fairly set in!" exclaimed Washington, surprised by the suggestion. "What will the people of our country say to that?"
"They may say what they please," said Dunbar. "The risk is too great for me to assume under the circumstances, and I decide to go into camp in Philadelphia."
"Then there is no alternative for me but to return to Williamsburg," added Washington, perfectly satisfied that Dunbar was too much of a coward to be intrusted with the command of an army.
Colonel Dunbar acted accordingly; struck his tents, and, under the impulse of his excessive fear, hurried his troops off to Philadelphia. Washington regretfully and sorrowfully marched the Virginia force back to Williamsburg. News of the disaster had reached that place before his arrival, causing great excitement and sorrow; but when the people looked upon his shattered and diminished force, their hearts were touched, and their fears greatly augmented. Nor did they attach blame to Washington; on the other hand, the sentiment was universal that, but for his bravery and skill, Braddock's army would have been well nigh annihilated.
Governor Dinwiddie immediately called together the Assembly to consider what could be done in the crisis. In the meantime he conferred with Washington respecting the way of retrieving their loss.
"Raise a force of two or three thousand men," said Washington, "and reduce Fort Duquesne as soon as possible. Under the flush of this victory the French will urge the Indians on to devastation and carnage throughout the frontier. A speedy, bold, successful attack upon the fort will prevent such a calamity."
"I had not thought of that," answered the governor, "but it is a sensible view of the matter to take. We must protect the country against Indian depredations if it be possible."
"Or we are in a far worse condition than ever," interjected Washington. "You know what the Indians are under the excitement of victory; savages in the worst sense of the word."
"And there will be no mercy shown to the defenceless settlements and the scattered families of the frontier," added the governor. "All the horrors of Indian massacre and outrage will be witnessed in our country."