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.

PART 1.1 THE FRENCH WAR. 89
cumstantial account of my death and dying speech, I
take this early opportunity of contradicting the first, and
of assuring you, that I have not as yet composed the
latter. But, by the all-powerful dispensations of Providence, I have been protected beyond all human probability or expectation; for I had four bullets through my
coat, and two horses shot under me, yet escaped unhurt,
although death was levelling my companions on every
side of me!
We have been most scandalously beaten by a trifling
body of men, but fatigue and want of time prevent me
from giving you any of the details, until I have the happiness of seeing you at Mount Vernon, which I now
most ardently wish for, since we are driven in thus far.
A feeble state of health obliges me to halt here for
two or three days, to recover a little strength, that I
may thereby be enabled to proceed homewards with
more ease. You may expect to see me there on Saturday or Sunday fortnight, which is as soon as I can
well be down, as I shall take my Bullskin Plantations *
in my way. Pray give my compliments to all my
friends. I am, dear Jack, your most affectionate
brother. t
i An estate left to him by his brother Lawrence Washington.
t He arrived at Mount Vernon on the 26th of July. He still retained
the office of adjutant of the northern division of militia, and he immediately wrote to the county lieutenants, ordering the militia to be ready and
properly equipped in each county on certain days, when he should be
present to review and exercise them.
Such was the alarm created by the success of the French at Braddock's
defeat, that volunteer companies embodied themselves in different parts of
Virginia to march to the frontiers. The Reverend Samuel Davies, at that
time a clergyman in Hanover county, preached a sermon to one of these
companies, on the 17th of August, which was printed in Philadelphia and
London, and entitled " Religion and Patriotism the Constituents of a Gooa
Soldier." Afer applauding the patriotic spirit and military ardor, which
had begun to manifest themselves, the preacher adds," As a remarkable instance of this, I may point out to the public that
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