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.

,ET. 22.] LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 55
was received from a sentinel, who had been wounded
by the enemy; and at nine o'clock intelligence came,
that the whole body of the enemy, amounting, as was
reported, to nine hundred men, was only four miles
off. At eleven o'clock they approached the fort, and
began to fire, at the distance of six hundred yards,
but without effect. Colonel Washington had drawn
up his men on the open and level ground outside of
the trenches, waiting for the attack, which he presumed
would be made as soon as the enemy's forces emerged
from the woods; and he ordered his men to reserve
their fire, till they'should be near enough to do execution. The distant firing was supposed to be a stratagem to draw Washington's men into the woods, and
thus to take them at a disadvantage. iHe suspected
the design, and maintained his post till he found the
French did not incline to leave the woods, and attack
the fort by an assault, as he supposed they would,
considering their superiority of numbers. He then
drew his men back within the trenches, and gave
them orders to fire according to their discretion, as
suitable opportunities might present themselves. The
French and Indians remained on the side of the rising
ground, which was nearest to the fort, and, sheltered
by the trees, kept up a brisk fire of musketry, but
never appeared in the open plain below. The rain
fell heavily through the day, the trenches were filled
with water, and many of the arms of Colonel Washington's men were out of order, and used wnith difficulty.
" In this way the battle continued from eleven o'clock
in the morning till eight at night, when the French
called and requested a parley. Suspecting this to be
a feint to procure the admission of an officer into the
fort, that he might discover their condition, Colonel