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.

iT. 26.] LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 101
gave such a report of the weak state of the garrison
at Fort Duquesne, that the council reversed their decision, and resolved to hazard an effort, which held
out a possibility of success, and in any event could be
scarcely more ruinous than the alternative first proposed. Henceforward the march was pursued without
tents or heavy baggage, and with only a light train of
artillery. The troops, animated by the example of the
officers, performed their tasks with renovated ardor and
alacrity. Washington resumed his command in front,
attending personally to the cutting of the road, establishing deposits of provisions, and preparing the way
for the main army.
No material event occurred till the 25th of November, when General Forbes took possession of Fort Duquesne, or rather the place where it had stood. The
enemy, reduced in number to about five hundred men,
and deserted by the Indians, had abandoned the fort
the day before, set fire to it, and gone down the Ohio
in boats. Thus ended an expedition, in which more
than six thousand men had been employed for five
months. Rejoiced that their toils were over, the troops
forgot their sufferings; and the people of the middle
provinces, who had murmured loudly at the dilatory
manner in which the campaign had been carried on,
were contented with the issue in this consummation
of their wishes. The continued illness of General
Forbes had perhaps operated unfavorably. He was
esteemed a worthy and brave man, possessing eminent
military talents. Worn down with infirmities, which had
been increased by the fatigues of the campaign, he
died a few weeks afterwards at Philadelphia.
The lateness of the season rendered it impossible,
that the French should attempt, to recover the ground
they had lost before the next year. It was necessary,
I *