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.

46 LIFE OF WVASHINGTON. [1754.
was now deemed certain-; and the best preparation
was made to receive them, which circumstances would
permit. In the mean time, about nine o'clock at night,
another express came from the Half-King, who was
then with a party of his warriors about six miles from
the camp, stating that he had seen the tracks of two
Frenchmen, and that the whole detachment was near
that place. Colonel Washington immediately put himself at the head of forty men, leaving the rest to guard
the camp, and set off to join the Half-King. The night
was dark, the rain fell in torrents, the paths through
the woods were narrow and intricate, and the soldiers
often lost their way, groping in the bushes, and clambering over rocks and fallen trees.
The whole night was passed in the march, and they
got to the Indian encampment just before sunrise. A
council was held with Tanacharison and his chief warriors, and it was agreed that they should march in
concert against the French. Two Indians went out
to ascertain the position of the enemy, which was discovered to be in an obscure retreat, surrounded by
rocks, half a mile from the road. The plan of the
attack was then formed. Colonel Washington and
his men were to advance on the right, and the Indians
on the left. The march was pursued in single file,
according to the Indian manner, till they came so near
as to be discovered by the French, who instantly
seized their arms, and put themselves in an attitude
of defenceo
At this moment the firing commenced on both sides.
A smart skirmish ensued, which was kept up for a
quarter of an hour, when the French ceased to resist.
M. de Jumonville, the commander of the French party, and ten of his men, were killed. Twenty-two were
taken prisoners, one of whom was wounded. A Ca