The writings of George Washington; being his correspondence, addresses, messages, and other papers, official and private, selected and published from the original manuscripts; with a life of the author, notes and illustrations. By Jared Sparks.

74 LIFE OF WASHINGTON [1755.
command. Scarcely was this service completed, when
an express overtook him, on his way to Williamsburg,
bringing intelligence that the Indians had broken into the back settlements, committed ravages and murders, and spread terror on every side. He hastened
back to head-quarters, called in the recruits, summoned the militia to assemble, and ordered out such
a force as he could muster to repel the ruthless invaders. The check was timely and effectual, but not
such as to quiet the fears of the inhabitants, who flocked in families from their homes; and so great was
the panic, that many of them continued their flight
till they had crossed the Blue Ridge.
On this occasion the patience and sensibility of the
commander, as well as his discretion and address, were
put to a severe trial. On one hand, he witnessed with
an aching heart the dangers, wants, and distresses
of the inhabitants; on the other, he experienced all
the evils of insubordination among the troops, perverseness in the militia, inactivity in the officers, disregard of orders, and reluctance in the civil authorities
to render a proper support. And what added to his
mortification was, that the laws gave him no power to
correct these evils, either by enforcing discipline, or
compelling the indolent and refractory to do their duty.
The army regulations had been reformed, but they
were still' deficient in the essential articles for preventing desertions, punishing offences, and securing obedience. The militia system was suited only to times
of peace. It provided for calling out men to repel
invasion; but the powers granted for effecting it were
so limited, as to be almost inoperative.
These defects, and their fatal consequences, were
represented in strong language by Colonel Washington,
in his official communications to the governor and to