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 89<br />
in <strong>the</strong> vicinity of <strong>the</strong> French party, two Indian scouts were sent forward, who discovered <strong>the</strong>ir camp two miles<br />
distant. It was in <strong>the</strong> dawn of <strong>the</strong> morning, and <strong>the</strong>y had traveled all night through <strong>the</strong> driving s<strong>to</strong>rm and<br />
darkness, and, of course, were poorly prepared for battle. But Washing<strong>to</strong>n determined upon an attack<br />
immediately. Arranging his own men on <strong>the</strong> right and <strong>the</strong> Indians on <strong>the</strong> left, he advanced rapidly upon <strong>the</strong><br />
enemy. The latter were taken unawares, but <strong>the</strong>y sprang <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir arms and opened fire on catching sight of <strong>the</strong><br />
English. A brief, sharp, bloody encounter ensued, when <strong>the</strong> French surrendered, having lost ten men killed<br />
and one wounded. Twenty-one were taken prisoners. Washing<strong>to</strong>n's loss was one man killed and two or three<br />
wounded.<br />
Among <strong>the</strong> slain Frenchmen was <strong>the</strong>ir popular commander, Captain Jumonville. The twenty-one prisoners<br />
were sent, under a strong guard, <strong>to</strong> Governor Dinwiddie, with a plea from Washing<strong>to</strong>n that <strong>the</strong>y should be<br />
treated with humanity. He withs<strong>to</strong>od Tanacharisson and his redskins, who wanted <strong>to</strong> slay every one of <strong>the</strong><br />
prisoners, and rebuked <strong>the</strong>ir revengeful spirit.<br />
"The French army at <strong>the</strong> forks will avenge <strong>the</strong> death of Jumonville," said Washing<strong>to</strong>n <strong>to</strong> Gist, "and <strong>the</strong> whole<br />
force will march against us."<br />
"They will if <strong>the</strong>y are like <strong>the</strong> rest of mankind," responded Gist, "and that, <strong>to</strong>o, without waiting for ceremony."<br />
"We will be prepared for <strong>the</strong>m," added Washing<strong>to</strong>n. "It will never do for an army <strong>to</strong> be caught napping,<br />
especially a little one like mine."<br />
"But you will fight against great odds," suggested Gist; "<strong>the</strong> French have every advantage in men and means."<br />
"True, very true, but we must make our fortifications strong at <strong>the</strong> Meadows, and do <strong>the</strong> best we can."<br />
This little conquering squad of English rejoined <strong>the</strong> army at <strong>the</strong> Meadows, and proceeded at once <strong>to</strong> make<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir fort impregnable. Here Washing<strong>to</strong>n soon received additional reinforcements, swelling his army <strong>to</strong> four<br />
hundred soldiers. Among <strong>the</strong>m was a company of one hundred men from North Carolina, under Captain<br />
Mackey. The latter officer made some trouble for Washing<strong>to</strong>n by claiming superiority of rank, because his<br />
commission was from <strong>the</strong> King of England, while Washing<strong>to</strong>n's was from a provincial governor only.<br />
However, this difficulty was soon adjusted through Washing<strong>to</strong>n's tact and magnanimity.<br />
The army was short of provisions at this time, supplies not having been sent forward as Washing<strong>to</strong>n expected.<br />
His men were very much tried, and many of <strong>the</strong>m were exasperated. Adding hunger and needless suffering <strong>to</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong>ir pittance of pay was quite enough <strong>to</strong> demoralize <strong>the</strong> rank and file. Washing<strong>to</strong>n could not blame <strong>the</strong>m<br />
much, in <strong>the</strong> circumstances, although <strong>the</strong> discontent added <strong>to</strong> his trials. He wrote <strong>to</strong> Governor Dinwiddie in<br />
his troubles, as follows:<br />
"Giving up my commission is quite contrary <strong>to</strong> my intentions. Nay, I ask it as a greater favor than any<br />
amongst <strong>the</strong> many I have received from your honor, <strong>to</strong> confirm it <strong>to</strong> me. But let me serve voluntarily; <strong>the</strong>n I<br />
will, with <strong>the</strong> greatest pleasure in life, devote my services <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> expedition, without any o<strong>the</strong>r reward than <strong>the</strong><br />
satisfaction of serving my country; but <strong>to</strong> be slaving dangerously for <strong>the</strong> shadow of pay, through woods,<br />
rocks, and mountains, I would ra<strong>the</strong>r prefer <strong>the</strong> great <strong>to</strong>il of a day laborer, and dig for a maintenance, provided<br />
I were reduced <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> necessity, than serve upon such ignoble terms.... I hope what I have said will not be<br />
taken amiss, for I really believe, were it as much in your power as it is in your inclination, we should be<br />
treated as gentlemen and officers, and not have annexed <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> most trifling pay that ever was given <strong>to</strong> English<br />
officers <strong>the</strong> glorious allowance of soldier's diet, a pound of pork, with bread in proportion, per day. Be <strong>the</strong><br />
consequence what it will, I am determined not <strong>to</strong> leave <strong>the</strong> regiment, but <strong>to</strong> be among <strong>the</strong> last men <strong>to</strong> quit <strong>the</strong><br />
Ohio."<br />
Washing<strong>to</strong>n preferred <strong>to</strong> serve his country without pay ra<strong>the</strong>r than have <strong>the</strong> reputation of being paid when