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.

54 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. [1754.
Captain Mackay was requested to come forward with
his company, and the scouting parties were ordered
to return to the camp. Captain Mackay promptly
joined the advanced division; and another council decided, that the enemy's force was so large, as to leave
no reasonable hope of a successful resistance, and that
a retreat was necessary.
In the face of many obstacles this determination was
executed. The horses were few and weak, and a
severe service was imposed on the men, who were
obliged to bear heavy burdens, and drag nine swivels
over a broken road. Colonel Washington set a worthy
example to his officers, by lading his horse with public stores, going on foot, and paying the soldiers a
reward for carrying his baggage. In two days they
all got back to the Great Meadows. It was not the
intention to stop there; but the men had become so
much fatigued and distressed for the want of provisions,
that they could go no further. For eight days they
had been without bread. A small quantity of flour
only was found at the Great Meadows, but supplies
were hourly expected; and, in this exigency, no other
course remained, than to fortify themselves as well as
they could, and abide the issue of events.
Fort Necessity was situate in a level meadow, about
two hundred and fifty yards broad, and covered with
long grass and low bushes. The foot of the nearest
hills came within one hundred yards of the fort, and
at one place within sixty yards. The space between
the fort and hills was open and smooth, the bushes
having been cleared away. The fort itself' was an
irregular square, each side measuring thirty-five yards,
with a trench partly finished on two sides. The entrances zwere guarded by three bastions.
"" On the 3d of July early in the morning an alarm