I am now preparing for, and shall in a few days set off, to serve in the ensuing campaign, with different views, however, from those I had before.  For here, if I can gain any credit, or if I am entitled to the least countenance and esteem, it must be from serving my country without fee or reward; for I can truly say, I have no expectation of either.  To merit its esteem, and the good will of my friends, is the sum of my ambition, having no prospect of attaining a commission, being well assured it is not in Gen’l Braddock’s power to give such an one as I would accept of.  The command of a Company is the highest commission vested in his gift.  He was so obliging as to desire my company this campaign, has honoured me with particular marks of his esteem, and kindly invited me into his family—­a circumstance which will ease me of expences that otherwise must have accrued in furnishing stores, camp equipages, etc.  Whereas the cost will now be easy (comparatively speaking), as baggage, horses, tents, and some other necessaries, will constitute the whole of the charge.[1]

[Footnote 1:  Ford, I, 146-49.]

The army began to move about the middle of May, but it went very slowly.  During June Washington was taken with an acute fever, in spite of which he pressed on, but he became so weak that he had to be carried in a cart, as he was unable to sit his horse.  Braddock, with the main army, had gone on ahead, and Washington feared that the battle, which he believed imminent, would be fought before he came up with the front.  But he rejoined the troops on July 8th.  The next day they forded the Monongahela and proceeded to attack Fort Duquesne.  Writing from Fort Cumberland, on July 18th, Washington gave Governor Dinwiddie the following account of Braddock’s defeat.  The one thing happened which Washington had felt anxious about—­a surprise by the Indians.  He had more than once warned Braddock of this danger, and Benjamin Franklin had warned him too before the expedition started, but Braddock, with perfect British contempt, had replied that though savages might be formidable to raw Colonials, they could make no impression on disciplined troops.  The surprise came and thus Washington reports it: 

When we came to this place, we were attacked (very unexpectedly) by about three hundred French and Indians.  Our numbers consisted of about thirteen hundred well armed men, chiefly Regulars, who were immediately struck with such an inconceivable panick, that nothing but confusion and disobedience of orders prevailed among them.  The officers, in general, behaved with incomparable bravery, for which they greatly suffered, there being near 60 killed and wounded—­a large proportion, out of the number we had!

The Virginia companies behaved like men and died like soldiers; for I believe out of three companies that were on the ground that day scarce thirty were left alive.  Capt.  Peyroney