common opinion of his countrymen was, that, had his advice been pursued, the destruction of the day had been avoided. The Assembly, which was in session when the intelligence of this defeat, and of the abandonment of the colony by Colonel Dunbar, was received, felt the necessity of levying troops for their defence; and it was determined to raise a regiment, to consist of sixteen companies. The command of this regiment was offered to Colonel Washington, who was also designated in his commission as the commander in chief of all the forces raised, and to be raised, in the colony of Virginia; and had the uncommon privilege of naming his own field officers.

Retaining still his prepossessions in favour of a military life, and believing that he might now reenter the service without disgrace, he cheerfully accepted the appointment offered him by his country.

Having made all the necessary arrangements for the recruiting service, he set out himself to visit the posts, and organize the remaining troops of Virginia, who were dispersed in small parties over an extensive frontier. These posts were put in the best state of defence they would admit of, particularly by cutting down and removing the trees which might cover an enemy attacking them. Having performed this duty, he set out for Williamsburg, in order to arrange with the lieutenant-governor the

future

future plan of operations; and to impress, as well on him as on the leading men of the colony, the vast importance of devising proper means to retain the few Indians not vet detached from the interest of the English by the French; the necessity of a more effectual militia law; and of an act to establish a complete system of martial law among the troops in the regular service. While on the way, he was overtaken below Fredericksburg by an express, with the intelligence that a large number of French and Indians, divided, as was their custom, into several parties, had broken up the back settlements; were murdering and capturing men, women, and children; burning their houses, and destroying their crops. The troops stationed among them for their protection were unequal to that duty; and, instead of being able to afford the aid expected from them, were themselves blocked up in their forts. Colonel Washington hastened back to Winchester, where he Found the utmost confusion and alarm prevailing. He endeavoured to raise the militia, and to lead them immediately against the enemy: but more attentive to their particular situation than the general danger, they could not be prevailed on to leave their families. The back inhabitants, instead of assembling in arms, and obtaining safety by meeting the enemy, fled into the lower country, and increased the general terror. In this state of things he endeavoured to collect and arm the men who had

abandon

abandoned their houses, and removed their wives and children to a distance from the scene of desolation and carnage exhibited on the frontiers: he gave too the most pressing orders to the newly appointed officers, of whose inattention to duty he greatly complained, to hasten their recruits; and directed the county-lieutenants below the Blue Ridge to order their militia immediately to Winchester; but before these orders could be executed, the party which had done so much mischief, and excited such alarm, recrossed the Aleghany mountains with impunity. The commander in chief, who was under the necessity of attending personally to every department, was for some time incessantly employed in making the most judicious disposition of the recruits for the protection of the country, in obtain+ ing for the necessary supplies, and in establishing the general principles of discipline-especially the necessity of an exact obedience of orders.

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Early in the ensuing spring the enemy, the success of the preceding year, made another irruption into the inhabited country, and did great mischief. The number of troops on the regular establishment was totally insufficient for the protection of the frontier, and it was found impracticable to obtain effective service from the militia. The Indians, divided into small parties, concealed themselves with so much dexterity as seldom to be perceived till the blow was struck. Their murders were frequent

frequently committed in the very neighbourhood of the forts; and the detachments from the garrisons, which were employed in scouring the country, were generally eluded, or attacked to advantage.. In one of these skirmishes immediately in the neighbourhood of a stockade, the Americans were totally routed, and Captain Mercer killed. Such was the confidence of the enemy, that the smaller forts were very frequently assaulted, and they had repeated skirmishes* with such scouting parties as they fell in with. The people either abandoned the country, or attempted to secure themselves in small stockade forts, where they were in great distress for provisions, arms, and ammunition; were often surrounded, and sometimes cut off. With this state of things, Colonel Washington was deeply affected.. "I see their situation," said he in a letter to the lieutenantgovernor, "know their danger, and participate in their sufferings, without having it in my power to give them further relief than uncertain promises.

* In one of these skirmishes M. Donville, an ensign in the French service, was killed, and in his pocket were found the orders given him by Dumas, the commandant on the Ohio, in which he was directed to pass Fort Cumberland, to harass the convoys; and, if possible, to burn the magazines at Conogagee.-To the honour of Dumas, particular instructions were given, to restrain the Indians, as far as should be in his power, from murdering those who should fall into their hands. Unfortunately, obedience to such orders could seldom be enforced.

In short, I see inevitable destruction in so clear a light, that, unless vigorous measures are taken by the Assembly, and speedy assistance sent from below, the poor inhabitants now in forts must unavoidably fall, while the remainder are flying before the barbarous foe. In fine, the melancholy situation of the people, the little prospect of assistance, the gross and scandalous abuses cast upon the officers in general, which is reflecting on me in particular, for suffering misconduct of such extraordinary kind; and the distant prospect, if any, of gaining reputa. tion in the service, cause me to lament the hour that gave me a commission, and would induce me, at any other time than this of imminent danger, to resign, without one hesitating moment, a command, from which I never expect to reap either honour or benefit:-but, on the contrary, have almost an absolute certainty of incurring displeasure below, while the murder of helpless families may be laid to my. account here.

"The supplicating tears of the women, and moving petitions of the men, melt me with such deadly sorrow, that I solemnly declare, if I know my own mind, I could offer myself a willing sacrifice to the butchering enemy, provided that would contribute to the people's case."

Colonel Washington had been prevented from taking post at Fort Cumberland, the extreme position towards the enemy held by the Americans, where the largest number of troops were stationed,

VOL. II.

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