hapless victims whom the sad fortune of the day delivered into their hands. The situation of the retreating troops at this time must appear truly desperate. They were in an enemy's country, far from any English settlement, as well as from any immediate prospect of succour; routed and dispersed by a bloody and vindictive foe, whose intimate knowledge of the woods and superior agility seemed to threaten a total destruction of the party. Their escape, however, was effected by the prudence and heroism of captain Bullet, of the baggage guard, by a manœuvre no less fortunate for his men than honourable to himself. This officer, immediately on discovering the rout of the troops, despatched on the strongest horses the most necessary part of the baggage, and disposing the remainder on an advantageous part of the road, as a kind of breastwork, he posted his men behind it, and endeavoured not only to rally the fugitives as they came up, but by a well directed fire to check the violence of the pursuers. Finding the enemy growing too strong to be withstood by his feeble force,

he ordered his men according to previous agreement, to reverse their arms and march up in front of their assailants, holding out a signal for capitulation, as if going to surrender. The impatience of the Indians to bathe their tomahawks in English blood, would scarcely allow them to suspend their attacks, while the latter appeared in the act of suing for mercy. The moment they had arrived within about eighty yards of the enemy, Bullet gave the word to fire:-A dreadful volley was instantly poured upon the Indians, and was followed by a furious charge with fixed bayonets. The enemy were unable to resist this bold and unexpected attack, and believing that the army of the English was at hand, they fled with precipitation; nor did they stop until they reached the French regulars. Bullet, instead of pursuing them, wisely retreated towards the main body of the army, collecting in his march the wounded and wandering soldiers, who had escaped from the field of battle without knowing whither to direct their course. In this fatal action about twenty officers and two hundred and

seventy-three private soldiers were either killed

or taken prisoners.

The Virginia troops on this occasion behaved with courage, and suffered severely in the action; but the gallant conduct of captain Bullet is almost without a parallel in American history. His situation, after the defeat of Grant, to an officer of less discernment must have appeared desperate. To resist the triumphant savages with a handful of men, would seem madness; and to have fled without any hopes of escape would have been folly. In this dilemma, with scarcely time to deliberate, Bullet adopted the only plan which could preserve himself and his men from the most cruel death or the most distressing captivity.

CHAPTER X.

THE main body of the army at length reached the camp at Loyal Hanna on the 5th of November 1758. In their march from this post, Washington proceeded in front of the army to superintend the opening of the road. They were much harassed by parties of Indians in their march, and frequent skirmishes took place, in one of which colonel Washington defeated a party of the enemy and took several prisoners. Colonel Mercer, who had been detached to support the party of Washington, came upon them during the night, and supposing them to be Indians, an engagement ensued, in which about fourteen persons were either killed or wounded before their error could be discovered. The army having reached the field of battle, found the ground strewed with the bodies of those who had fallen in Grant's defeat.

They took possession of Fort Du Quesne

without opposition, the French having abandoned it during the night. This fortress, after being repaired and garrisoned, was called Fort Pitt, in honour of the celebrated statesman of that name.

Their attention was then called to the last sad office due to their unfortunate fellow soldiers, who lay unburied in the open field. They collected their mangled carcases and covered them in one common grave.

After having accomplished the object of the expedition, general Forbes returned to Philadelphia, and colonel Washington, who had been elected by the county of Frederick a member of the general assembly, directed his course to Williamsburg.

The capture of Fort Du Quesne, as it was the means of restoring peace to the frontiers, diffused a general joy through the colony. The success of general Forbes induced the ministry

* The hardships of the campaign had broke the constitution of general Forbes. He died soon after his return to Philadelphia.

M