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
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<strong>Farm</strong> <strong>House</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>White</strong> <strong>House</strong>, by William M. Thayer 115<br />
"Is it possible?" said General Forbes, doubting <strong>the</strong> statement.<br />
"It is possible," answered Washing<strong>to</strong>n. "It is an easy matter <strong>to</strong> find out, however."<br />
"We are not exactly prepared for such a movement now," replied <strong>the</strong> general.<br />
"I am at your service, general, with my rangers," answered Washing<strong>to</strong>n, in a <strong>to</strong>ne which showed that he<br />
coveted <strong>the</strong> business. We strongly suspect that Washing<strong>to</strong>n was thinking of his promised bride, and desired <strong>to</strong><br />
close <strong>the</strong> campaign against Duquesne that he might claim her. To go in<strong>to</strong> winter quarters, and leave <strong>the</strong> fort <strong>to</strong><br />
be captured ano<strong>the</strong>r season, would put off his wedding-day far beyond his wishes. The understanding was,<br />
that he would not be married until after <strong>the</strong> fall of Duquesne.<br />
"Your brave and generous offer is accepted, without conditions," General Forbes immediately replied, only<br />
<strong>to</strong>o glad now <strong>to</strong> impose <strong>the</strong> labor and risk upon provincial troops.<br />
"I will be ready <strong>to</strong> move <strong>to</strong>-morrow," added Washing<strong>to</strong>n with his usual promptness.<br />
"As soon as you please, and in what manner you please. The whole thing is in your hands."<br />
"Very well, sir; we march <strong>to</strong>-morrow," added Washing<strong>to</strong>n as he hurried away.<br />
On <strong>the</strong> next day he <strong>to</strong>ok up <strong>the</strong> line of march <strong>to</strong>wards Duquesne, proceeding with extreme caution as he<br />
approached <strong>the</strong> vicinity of <strong>the</strong> fort. The locality of <strong>the</strong> recent battle was marked by <strong>the</strong> dead bodies of <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
fallen bro<strong>the</strong>rs, a sickening spectacle <strong>to</strong> behold. Around <strong>the</strong>m, <strong>to</strong>o, were scattered <strong>the</strong> bones of comrades who<br />
fell in <strong>the</strong> first battle, three years before, a melancholy reminder of <strong>the</strong> defeat and death which followed <strong>the</strong><br />
blundering of conceited officers.<br />
No sign of <strong>the</strong> enemy appeared. Silence reigned supreme. Scouts reported no trace of <strong>the</strong> foe. Still <strong>the</strong><br />
"rangers" moved forward with <strong>the</strong> utmost caution. Indians could not surprise <strong>the</strong>m now.<br />
Coming in sight of <strong>the</strong> fort, <strong>the</strong>y saw that it was deserted. No flag floated over its walls. On <strong>the</strong> double-quick,<br />
Washing<strong>to</strong>n led his troops in<strong>to</strong> it, and not a Frenchman or Indian was found. The wooden buildings were<br />
burned <strong>to</strong> ashes, <strong>to</strong>ge<strong>the</strong>r with such baggage and o<strong>the</strong>r material as <strong>the</strong> occupants could not carry away in<br />
boats. Not a cannon, gun, or cartridge remained. Washing<strong>to</strong>n planted <strong>the</strong> English flag upon <strong>the</strong> walls of <strong>the</strong><br />
fort with his own hand, on <strong>the</strong> twenty-fifth day of November, 1758.<br />
It was learned, subsequently, that on account of <strong>the</strong> signal vic<strong>to</strong>ries of <strong>the</strong> British army in Canada, no<br />
reinforcements or provisions were received at Duquesne. As <strong>the</strong> French garrison was in urgent need of both,<br />
<strong>the</strong> commander concluded, on <strong>the</strong> approach of Washing<strong>to</strong>n's command, that <strong>the</strong> better part of valor would be<br />
<strong>to</strong> abandon it; hence its evacuation.<br />
Washing<strong>to</strong>n adopted immediate and vigorous measures <strong>to</strong> rebuild <strong>the</strong> fort, <strong>to</strong> which he gave <strong>the</strong> name of Fort<br />
Pitt, in honor of <strong>the</strong> great English statesman, through whose influence <strong>the</strong> British Government finally ordered<br />
<strong>the</strong> capture of <strong>the</strong> fort. Leaving a sufficient number of troops <strong>to</strong> garrison it, he returned <strong>to</strong> Laurel Hill, whence<br />
he wrote <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> Governor of Virginia, in behalf of his needy soldiers at Duquesne, as follows:<br />
"Considering <strong>the</strong>ir present circumstances," he writes: "I would by no means have consented <strong>to</strong> leave any part<br />
of <strong>the</strong>m <strong>the</strong>re, had not <strong>the</strong> general given me express orders.... By <strong>the</strong>ir present nakedness, <strong>the</strong> advanced<br />
season, and <strong>the</strong> inconceivable fatigues of an uncommonly long and laborious campaign, <strong>the</strong>y are rendered<br />
<strong>to</strong>tally incapable of any sort of service; and sickness, death, and desertion must, if <strong>the</strong>y are not speedily<br />
supplied, greatly reduce <strong>the</strong>ir numbers. To replace <strong>the</strong>m with equally good men will, perhaps, be found<br />
impossible."