When Washington served the king, a boys story of border warfare in 1754

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“It is Soft Hand who comes, Running Deer,” I said, giving myself the name which the Indians had bestowed upon me. Page 29. Frontispiece When Washington Served the King

A Boys Story of Border Warfare in 1754

I. Copyright T 905

By a. Iv. BURT COMPANY

WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING By Janies Otis p

NOTE.

There have been no additions made to the incidents of Major Washington’s march from Williamsburg to Fort Le Boeuf, or, in fact, to any portion of the true account. The persons described herein were those who actually accompanied him in 1753 and 1754, and in no single instance has any adventure been imagined or elaborated upon.

Washington’s private journal ; Samuel Gist’s report to the Ohio Company, and Governor Dinwiddie’s letters regarding the several matters referred to, have been drawn upon for all the material used.

The Author.

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Canada, from the year 1608, when the first permanent settlement was made, had been in the undisputed possession of the French. Both the French and English claimed the lands in the Western Continent, by the right of prior discovery, and possession or settlement, without any regard to the right of the native inhabitants.

‘‘The claims founded on discovery and actual occupation had hitherto covered but a small portion of the continent, and the European nations, by the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, adjusted, in a superficial manner, the distribution of North America between the three dominant powers, England, France and Spain. This agreement was very imperfect, however, inasmuch as the colonies of these three powers occupied but a narrow band along the Atlantic coast ; and though their charters claimed the whole country from sea to sea, yet as they were entirely unacquainted with those vast regions, it was not improbable that they would soon be again involved in new difficulties respecting boundaries.

“ In 1673, a party of French from Canada dis-

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covered the upper waters of the Mississippi river, at the spot at which it is joined by the Wisconsin ; and sailing down it as far as the Arkansas, they decided from its course that it emptied into the Gulf of Mexico. They then returned by land to Canada.

On this discovery the French nation based its right to the great Mississippi valley. Having sailed down the river, they claimed all the lands watered by its tributaries. They afterwards took possession of the country lying near the mouth of the river, and about the year 1722, a small colony was planted at New Orleans. In ten or twelve years their settlements in Louisiana increased and began to extend up the Mississippi.

‘‘Thus the French possessed two considerable colonies, one of them north, and the other south, of the English possessions. Their settlers from Canada approaching the Ohio river, and those of Louisiana manifesting a disposition to occupy the valley of the Mississippi, the project was formed of connecting these two colonies by means of a chain of forts, running along the Ohio, and down the Mississippi. This plan interfered with the chartered rights of the English, extending from sea to sea, and would have confined them to the, eastern side of the Alleghany mountains.

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The Indians, too, who had hitherto been friendly to the English settlers of Virginia, becoming alarmed for their safety, began to side with their nearer neighbors, and by them they were soon instigated to make depredations on their former friends.

‘‘ Already had the French, by the erection of a strong fort at Crown Point, secured the command of Lake Champlain, and a connected chain of posts was maintained from Quebec, up the St. Lawrence, and along the great lakes ; until at last they approached the Ohio, and entered on the territory which had been actually granted by charter, to the colony of Virginia.

^^The English traders were warned not to enter the country claimed by the French to trade with the Indians. A few, disregarding the warning, were captured and carried as prisoners to Presque Isle,* on Lake Erie, where the French were then erecting a strong fort. This was done, too, when the two nations were at peace with each other: 1753.

‘‘ The Indians, instigated it is supposed by French emissaries, commenced their savage warfare. The great valley of the Shenandoah was then but thinly peopled. The farmers who had *Now the city of Erie, Pa.

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ventured so far from the civilized world seemed careless about the society of their species, and took up their positions out of sight of even the smoke from their neighbors’ chimneys. These isolated families often suffered from the incursions of the savages, who spared neither age nor sex. The near approach of their old enemies, the French, and the ascendency which they were known to possess over the wild savages of the forest, naturally filled these desolate families with fear. They called upon the governor of Virginia for aid.

‘‘ Governor Dinwiddie had already despatched a messenger over the mountains, with presents for the Indians, and instructions to ascertain their temper and designs, and, if possible, to find out the intentions of the French. He, however, became alarmed at the tales told him by the Indians, to whom he delivered his presents, and returned without effecting his object,

‘‘ Orders now arrived from the British ministry, for the governor of Virginia to build two forts near the Ohio river, to prevent the encroachments of the French, and to hold the Indians in check. But the orders arrived too late. The French had already taken possession of the territory bordering on the Ohio.

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‘‘Thus commenced the Seven Years^ War in America ; called, by the provincial soldiers who were engaged in it, the Old French War. It was destined to develop the military talents and energies of Washington, and to transfer the possession of Canada and the other northern provinces of America, from France to G-reat Britain.

“The French having taken possession of the country and built forts in different places on the Ohio, Grovernor Dinwiddie, in obedience to the orders of the British ministry, determined to assert the right of his king, as well as that of the province of Virginia, to the stations thus occupied, and if possible effect their dislodgment. For this purpose he deemed it advisable, at first, to despatch an envoy to the French commandant, ordering him to retire from the territories of the British. This service was one of great delicacy, and full of danger and difficulty. The envoy would be under the necessity of passing through an extensive and almost unexplored wilderness, intersected with rugged mountains and considerable rivers, and inhabited by fierce savages, who were either hostile to the English or of doubtful attachment.

Such were the difficulties and dangers of the

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service that not one of the many aids and immediate attendants on the governor offered to undertake it, and Dinwiddie began to fear that it would be necessary to abandon the project.

In this crisis Washington, then only twentyone years of age, volunteered his services.

‘ ‘ The governor, a kind-hearted old Scotchman, thankfully accepted the proffer, saying, at the same time, that if he conducted himself to his satisfaction and that of the council, he would have no cause to repent having undertaken the mission.

On the 30th of October, 1753, Washington received his commission and instructions from the governor, together with a letter to the French commander, inquiring into his designs and the authority by which he dared to invade the dominions of the King of England, and ordering him forthwith to evacuate the territory of Virginia. Besides delivering this message, his instructions required him to obtain information of the position, force and designs of the French through the aid of the friendly Indians on the borders.”

CONTENT'S

CHAPTER PAGE

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THE FIRST BI,dW .

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XVI. The Surrender

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LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

“It is Soft Hand who comes, Running Deer,” I said, giving myself the name which the Indians had bestowed upon me Frontispiece

PAGE

Running Deer seized me roughly by the shoulder to draw me nearer, and said, “ I shall kill the Dutchman before morning.” io6

Major Washington did not wait to be announced; but passing the sentinels came upon Half-King and the Frenchman drinking from the same bottle of rum 150

Master Gist gave us a hand and in a few minutes we were

both on the frail craft once more 184 -

I led my horse out into the thicket, and before mounting, put up a prayer for my safe return 198

Step by step Van Braam moved toward his antagonist, who remained rigid as stone 267 n

WHEN WASHINGTON SEEVED THE KING.

CHAPTEE I.

WHY I WRITE THIS STORY.

IN WINTER QUARTERS AT VALLEY FORGE.

February the mh, 1778.

It is seemly that I make my apologies for attempting to set down in order that others may read, that which happened when our commander-in-chief was only a major, and I, John Davidson, a hulking lad of nineteen, then but lately released from captivity among the savages.

If it had been my good fortune to have fitted myself for the office of clerk, as was my desire before being taken prisoner by the Indians, then might it be possible for me to carry out in proper fashion the suggestion made by General, the Baron Steuben, no longer ago than yesterday ; but, as may be seen, I am undertaking the task regardless of my many imperfections, and by way of apology will explain why I have dared to make the effort.

We, meaning the American army, left Whitemarsh on the 11th day of last December to come into winter quarters here while the redcoats are living on the fat of the land in Philadelphia.

The march was unusually long because of the fact that many of us are put to it hardly for shoes, which renders traveling a sore hardship, and not until the 19th day of the month did the last of our column arrive, looking more like beggars than soldiers who count on freeing this fair land from the oppressive rule of the king.

Immediately after our arrival an order was issued from headquarters, calling upon all men who had enough of clothing to permit of their moving about without absolute suffering, to build huts after the following description :

“Each to be fourteen feet by sixteen on the ground ; the sides, ends and roofs made with logs ; the roofs made tight with clay ; a fireplace made of wood, and secured with clay on the inside, eighteen inches thick ; this fireplace to be in the rear of the hut ; the door to be in the end next the street ; the doors to be made of split oak slabs, unless boards can be procured ; the side walls to be six feet and a half high.”

When that labor had been performed the in-

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spector-general, Baron Steuben, set about making real soldiers of us, for we needed much licking into shape, as any who saw us last fall will admit. The daily drills were of benefit to us in more ways than one, since such work served to prevent our minds from dwelling constantly upon our homes, thereby engendering a longing which at times threatened to be a veritable sickness.

As a matter of course there are many days when it is impossible to go through the evolutions because of storms, and I have come to look forward with something very like horror upon those hours of enforced idleness, when one cannot refrain from speculating upon the result in case the king’s forces succeed in whipping us.

And just now it would not require a very heavy force to crush this entire army, for I am told that we are not above ten thousand in number, half clad, hungry and homesick, while in Philadelphia, Howe has near to twenty thousand men fit for duty even during this season of the year. Therefore one may see that it is of the highest importance our officers prevent us from dwelling upon the possibilities of the future.

Yesterday I was trying to fashion a pair of breeches out of a well-worn blanket I bought from a militiaman of New Jersey, and allowing myself to think longingly of the home in Virginia, when General, the Baron Steuben, walking slowly along the regimental street, espied me. He must have seen written on my face the misery which was in my heart, for he halted as I arose to salute, and said kindly :

‘‘I have just heard. Lieutenant Davidson, that you were acting as Indian interpreter for our commander-in-chief, when he, then only a major in the Virginia forces, was sent on a particularly dangerous mission?”

I have set down this speech as it would have been had the general been able to speak English as we do, for I cannot hope to make up the words of such letters that one can read them, for his was an exceedingly odd accent.

It is also necessary to explain that I hold a commission in the Life Guard, that body of men which is constantly near the commander, and was promoted to the company by General Washington himself because of services which I was so fortunate as to have rendered him in 1753 and 1754, when we were under the orders of Governor Dinwiddie of Virginia.

Because General, the Baron Steuben, had stated no more than what all knew to be a fact, and since there was good reason for me to be

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proud of having served under our commander when he was a major, I at once replied to the question as might have been expected.

‘‘ There must have been many hardships encountered during that journey and the siege of Fort Necessity, which were far worse than any you experience here ? ”

Ay, sir,” I replied, my mind going hack rapidly into the past. ‘‘We saw much of suffering in those days.”

“And yet now you are giving way to homesickness ? ” he said, rather than asked, with a pleasant smile on his lips.

I was ashamed to confess the fact, and yet could not deny it, therefore hung my head like a lad of twenty, instead of a gray-haired man of near about forty-five.

“ Why do you not write down that story. Lieutenant Davidson ? ” the inspector-general asked as if it was really a matter which interested him. “It would prevent your mind from straying back to Virginia during these idle days, and might he good reading for some of us here who think men never suffered before as do we.”

“ But I am no scholar, my general.”

“Well? What need to choose your words when setting down that which will stir the blood of ever}^ brave man ? Write it out, lieutenant, and if it serves no other purpose than to make one man in this encampment forget his troubles, then you have been well repaid.”

Even after that speech I would have protested that I could not perform the task properly ; but he gave me no opportunity for further words with him, since he walked rapidly away, crying out over his shoulder as he went :

‘‘Write the story of what the commander and you did when you were lads, and bring to me each day the pages which have been filled with the story.”

We are hungry here at Valley Forge ; even the horses are starving to death. We suffer continually from the cold, and oftentimes when it snows at night we awaken to find ourselves covered with a blanket of ice. One cannot prevent himself from becoming gloomy as to the future, nor from longing for home, therefore, as General the Baron suggested, it may be that I can keep one man from thinking of the possibilities by writing out the story, and that one man will be myself, therefore I shall make the attempt, although almost any other could do it better.

And this is my apology for undertaking that

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which is likely to prove a task far beyond my poor powers.

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In the year 1751 I was released from captivity through the efforts of Master Lewis Burwell, who at that time was acting governor of Virginia, I having been held a prisoner by the Delawares near to ten years.

I was nine years old when my father’s house, situate about forty miles north of Williamsburg, was attacked and both my parents cruelly murdered.

Of my life while in the hands of the savages it is not necessary I should speak, since my only purpose in writing is to relate the adventures which I shared with General Washington when he was no higher on the military ladder than a simple major.

It was by no means an easy task for me to enter suddenly into the life of the white people, and during a time I was almost as near being starved as I am to-day here at Valley Forge, through not knowing how to turn my hand to such labor as would bring money into my keeping.

Indeed, more than once was I tempted to go back to the Delawares, for savages though they were, I could find some among them whom I might call friends ; while in Williamsburg, where the houses crowded one against another in many places, there was no person who cared whether I lived or died.

In the year 1752 Master Eobert Dinwiddie was appointed lieutenant-governor of the colony, and immediately after coming into the office he desired to send out messengers to the Indian tribes near about soliciting their friendship. Then it was that I found opportunity to earn my bread, for employment was given me as interpreter under those who desired to hold communication with the savages, and in such capacity was I serving when it became known that the governor purposed to send a messenger over the mountains to learn what was being done by the French in the way of stirring up discontent against the English among the red men.

Fearing lest some other might be taken in my stead, I begged permission to accompany the messenger, and before we were two days’ journey from Williamsburg I sincerely regretted having done so, for he who had been sent as the governor’s mouthpiece was as rank a coward as ever stepped.

He soon lost the small remnant of courage which remained to him from having lived among

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brave men, and came back at full speed like a whipped cur, when I would have agreed to travel alone as far as the great lakes,

.As might have been expected by one who knew as well as did I to what lengths the French settlers would go in way of double dealing, matters in the colony grew from bad to worse, until even a child might have seen that the Virginians must make some move unless they were willing their lands should be overrun by enemies both red and white.

While staying in the town I had heard of the young man Washington, who, when only nineteen years old, had been made adjutant-general of the northern district of the colony, and holding the rank of major, and had not hesitated to say openly that it would have been better for all in Virginia if such an important office had been given to a man of experience, instead of to a boy.

My opinion underwent a decided change, however, on the day the young officer entered Williamsburg for the purpose of volunteering to act as the governor’s representative among the savages.

There must have been a brave heart in the bosom of a lad who would seek such a mission after the first messenger had returned with his doleful tale of danger, and I watched him carefully when he went to present himself before the governor.

There was much in the lad to admire ; but at the outset I put it down to the fact that he had been one of the king’s officers these two years, and was come to feel his uniform,” as the saying goes.

This time I did not seek the position of interpreter, for I had no desire to travel two or three days for the sole purpose of running back to the town ; but before nightfall of the same day on which the young major appeared before the governor, he sought me out, much as if I had been his equal in station.

I am in search of a brave man who can hold converse with the Indians between here and the great lakes, and am told that you are such an one,” he began, and my heart warmed toward him, more because of his manner of speaking, than for the words of fiattery.

The commands of the governor will be obeyed by me,” I said, when he paused as if for reply.

‘‘ But I seek one who will go because of the service he may render the colony,” he added, speaking sharply and eying me closely.

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How far toward the mountains do you count on going ? ” I asked, and he said with more of vinegar than sugar in his speech :

“ I have failed of making myself understood, or you are dull of hearing, if it has not been made plain that I intend to speak with the French commandant before my return.”

‘‘Have you been told of the difficulties in the path, and that already has one man sent out by the governor returned because of the many dangers encountered ? ” I asked, determined to try his spirit even though he was two years my senior, and high above me in station.

“Look you, John Davidson,” and now the young major spoke in a tone of mingled authority and impatience. “ I know full well what lays before him who would cross the mountains now that the French are exciting the Indians against us of this colony, and you may spare your breath with me, to expend it in fanciful stories for those who are eager to listen to such. I need one who can speak the Indian language ; but at the same time it would be better to go without an interpreter, than take in my company a man who might be willing to turn back before the task was accomplished.”

Then it was I knew the young major was entitled to the rank which had been conferred upon him, and I said without further parley :

It will please me right well to travel with a man who, knowing all that is in the path, counts on going ahead. If you are willing to trust me, I will not he the one who first speaks of turning back.”

‘‘Very well, I believe you will keep your word. Make ready to leave Williamsburg to-morrow morning. We will find the remainder of our party at Fredericksburg.”

It would have pleased me better had the lad decided that we two should go alone, for then would there be the more credit after the mission had been performed, as I believed it would be since conversing with him ; but it was not for me to make even so much as a suggestion to my commander, and I held my peace.

Then it was, he took me by the hand as if we had been equals, and I said to myself, that whatsoever the peril, the lad would find me close by his side, and he should not be overcome until after I was dead or had been made prisoner.

It appeared much as if the governor had set his heart upon the success of our mission, for even while I was making ready for what I knew full well would be a long journey, though all the

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dangers and difficulties had been smoothed out of our path, word was brought that his excellency would speak with me.

I had been inside the government house many times since Governor Dinwiddie ruled the colony, therefore it did not abash me to force my way through the throng of people which could ever be found in and about the building during the hours of daylight. There were black slaves who would remain in bondage while they lived ; indentured servants who looked forward to being their own masters after they had paid by service the cost of bringing them from England, together with a fair profit to the master of the ship or the trader who made the venture ; and a sprinkling of vagabond Indians who came into town with the hope of wheedling gifts from the citizens.

All these might be found near about the government house, and when one had forced a passage into the main hall which led to the council chamber of his excellency, then was it necessary to satisfy this soldier or that officer as to the right of entrance ; but I was known at the house of the governor, therefore but short time was required in order to let it be understood that I had answered the summons.

His excellency might have spared himself the trouble of sending for me, since he had done so simply in order to urge that I make every effort to bring the enterprise to a successful conclusion.

Such words were but the wasting of breath, for I would do more to aid the major because in him I saw a brave man, than if the governor of Virginia had commanded me in the name of the king, threatening direst punishment in case of failure.

However, I spoke his excellency most respectfully, as one in my station should have done, and promisecj all he required, although such pledge was not needed, for if the major and I lived, we would go through to the headquarters of the French commandant, and in event of coming to our death that side of Fort Le Boeuf, I would surely be absolved of my promise.

The governor gave me twenty shillings that I might add to my outfit if necessary, and also handed me an order to the officer in charge of the magazine, directing him to supply me with as much powder and as many balls as I might require.

When I had procured the ammunition, shaped a new pair of moccasins to my feet, and begged

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a few spare flints from the captain of the governor’s guard, my preparations for the journey had been made, and I laid down to sleep even though it was yet earl}’- in the afternoon, for he who takes advantage of every opportunity to rest his body is better fitted for the hardships to be encountered.

The light of a new day was yet pale in the eastern sky when a black slave came to my quarters with the word that Major Washington was waiting for me in front of the college, and, stopping only long enough to take from the bench a strip of dried meat which I had left there the night previous to serve me as breakfast^ I hastened to the rendezvous.

The young officer, mounted on a bay thoroughbred with a fine-looking animal held by a black man near at hand, was eating his morning meal, and to my great surprise it was the same as mine — dried venison.

He, I had been told, belonged to one of the first families in Virginia, and had he been so disposed might have traveled with as much state as the lieutenant-governor himself.

Therefore it was that a sense of satisfaction and content came upon me, as I contrasted this young gentleman with the one I had last served while trying to perform the same mission with which the major was intrusted. The other representative of the governor had taken breakfast with his excellency, but I had no reason to grumble, having been fed generously in the kitchen of the government house. On that day we did not leave town until nearly noon, and then many of the citizens gathered around to see us set off ; but we took good care they did not witness our return.

This time we were beginning the work in proper fashion ; a frugal breakfast hurriedly eaten, and a gallop out of town before any one was stirring.

If Major Washington continued to travel in this manner, nothing save death or captivity would prevent our finishing the journey as the governor desired.

The beast which had been provided for me was a good one, as I understood when I felt the play of his sinewy limbs beneath me after we settled down to the stride which was to be held until the horses were in need of a breathing spell.

It was the 31st day of October, in the year of grace 1763.

There is no good reason why I set down every

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detail of our journey before we arrived at the border of the wilderness through which it was necessary we should pass, therefore I will content myself by saying that when we came to Fredericksburg, Jacob Van Braam, a Dutchman who had given lessons in fencing to the young major, was engaged as interpreter among the French, and we pushed forward with no more delay than was absolutely necessary for the welfare of the horses.