Young People's Life of George Washington; Boyhood, Youth, Manhood, Death, Honors (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1883 edition. Excerpt: ...to their hearts for a moment. Perceiving that he could not long hold out, he resorted to a strategy that would have been regarded barbarous if adopted by Indians. Irving speaks of it as follows; ' They were checked for a time, but were again pressing forward in greater numbers, when Bullit and his men held out the signal of capitulation, and advanced, as if to surrender. When within eight yards of the enemy, they suddenly levelled their arms, poured a most effectual volley, and then charged with the bayonet. The Indians fled in dismay, and Bullit took advantage of this check to retreat, with all speed, collecting the wounded and scattered fugitives as he advanced." The whole of the straggling army did not reach Fort Loyal Harman, at Laurel Hills, until the fifth day of November. Many of the soldiers, especially the wounded, suffered terribly on the retreat. Washington was at Raystown when the attack was made upon the advance. Why and for what he was there, except by order of the Commander, General Forbes, we know not. But he joined the beaten and demoralized army at Fort Loyal Harman. "Braddock's folly repeated, must end in Braddock's defeat and shame," he remarked, on hearing of the disaster. "The result is no worse than I feared." "Your Virginians fought bravely," remarked General Forbes to Washington, evidently thinking that he had underrated their valor and efficiency. "I am not surprised to hear it," replied Washington. "I knew that they would prove themselves equal to the occasion." "Braver fellows never met a foe on the battle-field," continued General Forbes. "Our defeat would have been more bloody and shameful but for them." "And if they had formed the advance, they would not have been caught in an Indian ambuscade," remarked Washington, ...