From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library
From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library
From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
<strong>Farm</strong> <strong>House</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>White</strong> <strong>House</strong>, by William M. Thayer 111<br />
"Because it will consume so much time that winter will be upon us before we can reach <strong>the</strong> fort. An early<br />
movement on <strong>the</strong> old roads is far more desirable, in my judgment, than a late one on a new road."<br />
"But you do not consider that <strong>the</strong> king's regulars are experienced in such work, and <strong>the</strong>y will not require <strong>the</strong><br />
time which <strong>the</strong> provincial troops do <strong>to</strong> complete such a piece of work."<br />
"Perhaps so," replied Washing<strong>to</strong>n in a doubtful <strong>to</strong>ne, as if he recalled <strong>the</strong> old boast of <strong>the</strong> English generals<br />
about <strong>the</strong> might of <strong>the</strong>ir regulars. He had seen enough of <strong>the</strong>se boasted heroes in <strong>the</strong> former expedition against<br />
Duquesne <strong>to</strong> cause him <strong>to</strong> decidedly prefer provincial troops.<br />
"Besides," continued General Forbes, "<strong>the</strong> report of General Braddock <strong>to</strong> his government describes <strong>the</strong> old<br />
road as fearful, in consequence of dense forests, huge rocks, deep morasses, and plunging <strong>to</strong>rrents."<br />
"None of <strong>the</strong>se things caused his defeat," remarked Washing<strong>to</strong>n in ra<strong>the</strong>r a sarcastic vein.<br />
"As I understand it," added General Forbes, "<strong>the</strong>re are not so thick woods and huge rocks, nor so perilous<br />
swamps and rivers by <strong>the</strong> proposed new route as <strong>the</strong>re are by <strong>the</strong> old. Besides, <strong>the</strong> new road is fifty miles<br />
nearer."<br />
"The shortest way may prove longer than <strong>the</strong> longest way if you have <strong>the</strong> short way <strong>to</strong> build," was<br />
Washing<strong>to</strong>n's significant reply.<br />
The English officers were bound <strong>to</strong> have <strong>the</strong>ir own way, and <strong>the</strong>y decided <strong>to</strong> make <strong>the</strong> new road, in view of<br />
which Washing<strong>to</strong>n wrote <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> Speaker of <strong>the</strong> Assembly: "If this conduct of our leaders does not flow from<br />
superior orders, it must flow from a weakness <strong>to</strong>o gross for me <strong>to</strong> name. Nothing now but a miracle can bring<br />
this campaign <strong>to</strong> a happy issue."<br />
A few days later he wrote:<br />
"I believe that all is lost. Our enterprise is ruined, and we shall be s<strong>to</strong>pped this winter at <strong>the</strong> Laurel Hills."<br />
As <strong>the</strong> sequel will show, Washing<strong>to</strong>n proved himself <strong>to</strong> be a prophet.<br />
While <strong>the</strong>se warlike preparations were going forward, Washing<strong>to</strong>n was elected <strong>to</strong> a seat in <strong>the</strong> <strong>House</strong> of<br />
Burgesses. It was not expected, however, that he would take his seat until <strong>the</strong> contemplated action against <strong>the</strong><br />
French at Duquesne was consummated.<br />
It was in <strong>the</strong> month of May, 1758, that Washing<strong>to</strong>n went <strong>to</strong> Williamsburg and found his future wife, when<br />
passing through Kent County. It was <strong>the</strong> 21st of September before <strong>the</strong> army was ready <strong>to</strong> strike <strong>the</strong>ir tents and<br />
take up <strong>the</strong> march from Rays<strong>to</strong>wn, where <strong>the</strong> whole army had assembled. Much of this time was fooled away<br />
by <strong>the</strong> English officers, who seemed <strong>to</strong> think that both French and Indians would take <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir heels when <strong>the</strong>y<br />
saw <strong>the</strong>m coming.<br />
Washing<strong>to</strong>n was greatly annoyed by this unnecessary delay. To him it was ominous of evil. He was impatient<br />
<strong>to</strong> plant <strong>the</strong> English flag on <strong>the</strong> walls of Duquesne, and <strong>to</strong> make <strong>the</strong> beautiful Mrs. Custis his bride. The sooner<br />
<strong>the</strong> army accomplished <strong>the</strong> former, <strong>the</strong> sooner he would realize <strong>the</strong> latter.<br />
To add <strong>to</strong> his annoyance, General Forbes proposed <strong>to</strong> repeat General Braddock's folly, and send his regulars<br />
forward as a party of observation.<br />
"Such an arrangement was <strong>the</strong> cause of General Braddock's defeat," he said <strong>to</strong> General Forbes.